6 rings: Exploring Potential Landing Spots for Bill Belichick Assuming He Departs After the Season
With the Patriots sitting at 2-8 and coming off of a much-needed bye-week, were back with another mailbag to re-assess where the team is at as they hit the second half of their season.
A reminder: to stay involved, make sure to keep an eye out for my mailbag thread on Twitter @mikekadlick and @WEEI. Don't have Twitter? Email me at michael.kadlick@audacy.com to submit any Patriots-related questions you may have.
And we're off:
Q: Will the Patriots make a head coaching change following the season?
A: When I ran my last mailbag two weeks ago, I estimated that there was a 45% chance that Bill Belichick would be back as the head coach of the Patriots next season.
Now? I put it at almost zero.
With rumors continuing to swirl as prominent NFL reporters and pundits put into the ether the idea of both a Bill Belichick trade and destination anlready in motion, it's almost impossible not to think that the idea has at least been talked about between the coach and owner Robert Kraft.
If that is in fact the case, then his time here is all but over. Thanks for everything, Bill. We'll see you at Tom Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction.
So who will be their next head coach? Here's my shortlist, in no particular order:
- Lions OC Ben Johnson
- Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh
- Eagles OC Brian Johnson
- Patriots DC Jerod Mayo
- Titans HC Mike Vrabel
Q: Could Bill O'Brien have an interest in the open Syracuse head coaching job?
A: With the Patriots sitting in a difficult spot at 2-8, questions have begun to bubble up about both the players' and coaches job status moving forward. Bill O'Brien specifically was asked about his job status, and whether or not he'd look to become a head coach again in the future:
"I don't know," he explained. "I really just-- I do, it's not cliche to say, I really try to do the best job I can, and I have to do a much better job, in the job that I have right now. I've been doing this for 31 years. I've served every single role on a coaching staff in an organization that you can pretty much serve. I think right now, for me, it's gotta be, I've gotta do a better job of what's going on here right now to try to have a more productive offense. That's what it is. It's not a cliche, that's the truth, that's just the way it is. I have to do better at this job. That's the big thing for me personally."
Having said that, O'Brien has been linked to both the Michigan State and the Syracuse head coaching jobs in college, as well as a potential reunion with quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers. Wherever he's coaching in 2024, it's starting to look more likely than not that he'll be out of New England.
Q: How many wins would the Patriots have this season with average quarterback play?
A: This one's interesting because I think, in theory, we expected Mac Jones to play as an 'average' (to perhaps above average) quarterback this season if the circumstances were correct around him.
That, of course, hasn't been the case at all this season as both the offensive line and wide receiver play around him has been sub-par, to say the least, and I think given that, it'd be difficult for any quarterback to play quote-unquote 'average' football as the Patriots are currently constituted.
For the sake of the question, let's give them one more win if the quarterback play was a bit better. Congratulations! You're 3-7.
Q: Besides the obvious needs (QB/WR/OT), what is the Patriots biggest position of need?
A: Heading into the 2023 season, the Patriots top three needs were cornerback wide receiver, and offensive tackle.
Heading into 2024, they remain the same. And you can add quarterback to the list too.
While New England fixed their CB1 problem this offseason with the selection of Christian Gonzalez in the first round, the release of Jack Jones and the undisciplinedness (maybe not a word) of J.C. Jackson puts the rest of the room in question in 2024. Jonathan Jones is solid, but they still should look for another trustworthy veteran to round out the room.
Other needs include:
- Tight end, as both Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are in contract years.
- Center, as David Andrews is 31 years old and aint getting any younger.
- Running back, as Ezekiel Elliott is on a one-year deal and Rhamondre Stevenson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and, if you subscribe to the Kadlick School of NFL General Management, you should never give a running back a second contract.
Q: If the Patriots land the third pick do you: a) Trade up for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye b) Take Marvin Harrison Jr. or c) trade back and try to double-dip in round 1?
A: If you land at three, you stay at three.
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best player in this class. He's a day one-ready NFL pass catcher and would be the perfect first post-Brady/Belichick era pick for a team that so desperately needs a true WR 1. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison Jr. has hauled in 62 passes for 1,093 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Buckeyes this season and also added a score on the ground.
The bidding war for one of the quarterbacks is going to be far too competitive and, with all of the needs we mentioned above that the Patriots have, their plan of attack should be to hold on to and use their draft assets. With the No. 3 overall selection, they'll also have No. 35 overall which lands just outside of the first round. That's two top-35 college players you're adding to your franchise next season. Plus, with a potential Bill Belichick trade on the horizon, perhaps they can land another first-rounder and really load up on talent.
Use 'em all. Don't trade up for a QB.
Q: Just saw Rhamondres Stevenson's comments, do you think Mac is the starter this week and if he is not would you try Cunningham?
A: During his Monday afternoon media availability, Patriots Rhamondre Stevenson spoke about the current state of the Patriots quarterback room, saying that, "all three of those guys [Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Will Grier] are leaders and could do the job.”
Given how they've handled the QB situation this year and thus far this week, I don't expect Jones to be the Patriots starting quarterback this week. If I had to guess, they'll go with Zappe.
What would I do? I'd go with Will Grier. You know what you have in Mac and Zappe. You don't yet in Grier. Over the next seven games you could find out if you have a long-term backup (or even a starter) on your hands.
I still don't trust Malik Cunningham as a passer yet to give him the full reigns. He should get a shot though, in select packages.
Q: If the Patriots were in a keeper league and you could only keep 5 players for next year, who would they be?
A: Another fun one:
- CB Christian Gonzalez
- DT Christian Barmore
- WR Demario Douglas
- OT Mike Onwenu
- LB/S Marte Mapu
Q: If the Patriots could play every Thanksgiving, would you want them to?
A: As a fan, absolutely. There's nothing better than hanging out with the family and watching football, never mind your favorite team.
As far as my job goes covering the team, I'd much rather them not play on Thanksgiving so I can enjoy my family time, and food, without worrying about writing, coverage, radio, etc. But when duty calls, of course, it's still better than the alternative.
Q: Favorite Thanksgiving dish?
A: I can't pick just one. Thanksgiving is a top-tier holiday and it's the food that makes it. Instead of singling one out, I'll do a top five:
1 - Rolls
2 - Cornbread
3 - Stuffing
4 - Cranberry sauce
5 - Mashed potatoes
That's just sides, by the way. Turkey is king.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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