Future Of Belichick's Sons On Mayo New Staff With Patriots?

The New England Patriots may have moved on from legendary head coach Bill Belichick. What does it mean for his sons and assistant coaches, Stephen and Brian?

While the New England Patriots may have agreed to “mutually and amicably” part ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick, the team's coaching staff may not be devoid of a Belichick — or two — next season. 

Newly-minted Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, per a Sports Illustrated report, has offered both outside linebackers coach Stephen Belichick and safeties coach Brian Belichick the opportunity to remain with the team’s coaching staff for 2024. Stephen has been a member of the Pats’ staff since 2012, while Brian has been with the team since 2016 — making them two of the longest-tenured coaches in the organization. 

Cred: USA Today Sports Images / Cred: USA Today Sports Images

The Pats desire to keep either, or both, of the Belichicks in the Foxboro fold may be surprising, but is highly sensical. Mayo, alongside Stephen Belichick, has been among the lead architects for New England’s recent defensive renaissance. Together, the pair have been intricately involved in the team’s defensive on-field operations — essentially carrying out the duties of unofficial co-defensive coordinators. For the past five seasons, Belichick has handled the play-calling duties, while Mayo took on a more active role in strategy. In fact, they have reportedly developed quite a strong relationship since they began working together in 2019. 

Brian Belichick has coached the Patriots’ safeties since 2017, after serving one year as a scouting assistant. In three of his four seasons at the helm, the Pats defense ranked among the NFL’s top three in interceptions, with safeties Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers all playing major roles in that feat. Despite some ebb and flow within their corps of cornerbacks, the Pats safeties are collectively and routinely considered among the top positional groups in the league. 

Patriots' Mayo Interviews First Candidate For Defensive Coordinator

At present, the intentions of neither Stephen nor Brian have been made public. While there is undoubtedly a sense of loyalty each may feel to their father, the allure of remaining with a familiar organization could be tempting. Bill Belichick is reportedly eager to coach somewhere in 2024 and would almost certainly prefer to keep his sons with him on staff. However, should either Belichick (or perhaps, both) wish to step out from the elder’s shadow, remaining with the Patriots in the post-Bill era may be a significant way of doing so. 

Mayo, meanwhile, is set to be introduced as the 15th head coach in Patriots history at an introductory press conference at noon on Wednesday.

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