The New England Patriots by some means have been worse this season than they have been in Invoice Belichick’s final season and all choices needs to be on the desk.
That features shifting on from head coach Jerod Mayo and likewise offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.
It’s been a tricky season for Covington. He appeared like a no brainer rent for New England. The 35-year-old has been with the workforce since 2017 and was a possible head-coach candidate. However his inventory plummeted this season because the Patriots have been a bottom-five workforce in EPA per play and have been among the many worse in almost each defensive class.
Covington’s job safety needs to be in query simply as a lot as his teaching friends. If he did get fired, New England ought to contemplate these 5 candidates as replacements.
Matt Patricia
Alright, let’s get this one rapidly out of the way in which. Patricia’s title went ice-cold after he flamed out with the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2023 season. The previous Detroit Lions head coach’s fame was tarnished when Invoice Belichick put him answerable for the offense and hindered Mac Jones’ growth. The 50-year-old tried to rejuvenate his inventory when he joined Belichick in his media profession. It’s most likely extra seemingly Patricia joins Belichick at North Carolina however don’t be stunned if his title will get floated for a potential reunion.
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Al Harris
The previous Professional Bowl cornerback raised his inventory as a coach since he joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. The defensive backs coach and assistant head coach has been a trusty hand for Mike McCarthy and performed an enormous half in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland’s All-Professional seasons. Harris was beneath the tutelage of nice coaches like McCarthy, Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer and Andy Reid, and it may be his time to run his personal protection.
Anthony Campanile
The previous Boston Faculty co-defensive coordinator was a part of a defensive turnaround for the Inexperienced Bay Packers beneath Jeff Hafley. Campanile has intensive school expertise and might command a number of roles like his place as linebackers coach and run recreation coordinator for Matt LaFleur’s aspect. The Patriots have been weak within the trenches this season, and Campanile could possibly be the person to assist get them again on observe in stopping groups from operating throughout them.
Chris Shula
The Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator is the son of Dave Shula, grandson of Don Shula and nephew of Mike Shula. Chris Shula wore a number of hats for Sean McVay’s aspect from linebackers coach, defensive backs coach and go recreation coordinator to his elevation to defensive coordinator this season. The Rams aren’t precisely a shutdown protection, however they’ve performed nicely beneath Shula, who’s gotten essentially the most out of his younger gamers, particularly rookie Jared Verse. New England doesn’t have lots of expertise to work with and a inventive thoughts like Shula’s may assist them because it rebuilds.
Jim Leonhard
The previous NFL security regarded like a future NFL defensive coordinator after success in the identical position at Wisconsin. Nevertheless, his quick run as interim head coach at his alma mater killed his inventory — in equity to him, the Badgers didn’t precisely get higher after he moved on. Leonard’s inventory may be again up after a season as defensive backs coach and go recreation coordinator beneath Vance Joseph. The Denver Broncos definitely profit from having All-Professional nook Patrick Surtain II, however your entire defensive unit, particularly the secondary, shut down one of the best offenses within the league and was an enormous half in serving to them be a playoff contender. A typical theme with these candidates — minus Patricia — is their expertise in school and with youthful gamers. Leonard could possibly be the person to assist budding stars like Keion White discover his groove.
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