NFL Insider: Patriots Firing Belichick, Promoting Mayo; 'Hay in the Barn'

Bill Belichick may be coaching his last game for the New England Patriots this Sunday - and there's already a favorite in the clubhouse to replace him.

The New England Patriots are set for their regular season finale Sunday against the New York Jets, meaning decision day is almost upon owner Robert Kraft.

To keep coach Bill Belichick - or to part ways with the six-time Super Bowl winner who's walked the sidelines in Gillette Stadium for the past 24 years.

That's the dilemma facing Kraft amidst New England's worst season since 1992 - but according to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, the answer may have been made weeks ago.

"Some within the team feel like the hay has been in the barn for a while with this one, going back to the team’s trip to Germany in early November," Breer writes.

Breer cited evidence of ESPN's recent report surrounding Kraft and Belichick having yet to meet on the latter's future, noting it bolsters the idea of Belichick's tenure coming to a close.

"Assuming some change is coming, if there was a good chance the change wouldn’t include Belichick, it’s fair to deduce the owner would start dialogue with his head coach well before the season finale and the start of the hiring cycle," Breer writes.

So, who could the Patriots turn towards as Belichick's replacement?

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches a play against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Breer noted there's been speculation inside the league that Kraft could pursue Titans coach Mike Vrabel, though a trade would likely be needed.

But as things stand, Vrabel isn't the favorite.

"If Belichick is gone, linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is at the front of the line to replace him," Breer writes. "Last year, discussions with Kraft led to Mayo turning down a chance to interview for the Carolina Panthers job, and a lucrative contract extension that dovetails with Belichick’s (both deals are through 2024)."

Belichick said in his press conference Friday that Mayo is one of several coaches currently on New England's staff who'd make a good head coach. But there's still more for Kraft to figure out if he parts ways with Belichick, who also serves as the Patriots' general manager.

Fortunately for Kraft, who's never officially hired someone for the general manager position, the market is littered with familiar faces.

"There are plenty of Patriots alumni out there (former Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, former Titans GM Jon Robinson, former Detroit Lions GM Bob Quinn, former Las Vegas Raiders GM Dave Ziegler, San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters, Cincinnati Bengals exec Trey Brown) that are worth a look," Breer writes.

Other names with connections to New England include current Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi, who was mentored by former Patriots personnel director Scott Pioli.

There's also a strong in-house option, Breer said, with director of college scouting Eliot Wolf bringing over a decade of executive experience through prior stops with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.

Yet there's still more to the ripple effect of Belichick's potential dismissal.

"Ushering in a new era will likely also mean reorganizing the team’s football operations, which has featured an insular environment that has served the Patriots well for a long time but is a small staff by NFL standards in 2024," Breer writes.

So, if change takes place, it'll be wholesale - but what happens to Belichick?

There's a niche spot for the three-time NFL Coach of the Year and a clear favorite beginning to emerge, at least among those with current openings.

"A team facing a massive rebuild probably isn’t hiring a 71-year-old coach," Breer writes. "And a 71-year-old probably wouldn’t be all that keen on embarking on some sort of five-year plan. The Chargers make the most football sense."

Breer hypothesized that two owners - David Tepper (Panthers) and Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys) - may be motivated to take a swing, but the Chargers still appear to offer the most complete package.

Sick? Snowstorm? Patriots ‘Business as Usual’ Belichick Preparing for Jets

For now, the logistics behind Belichick's future remain unclear ... but his future is quickly becoming closer and closer to being the present.

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