gresh and fauria: the tom brady vs. patrick mahomes debate
The Patriots are well on their way to filling out the rest of their coaching staff under Jerod Mayo. It was reported on Saturday by SI's Albert Breer that New England is set to hire DeMarcus Covington as their defensive coordinator and, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Nick Caley is "viewed by some close to the process as well-positioned to ultimately lead the offense."
Given that the staff is beginning to take place, let's answer some Mailbag questions.
A reminder: to stay involved, be sure to keep an eye out for the thread on Twitter @mikekadlick and @WEEI. Don't have Twitter? Email me at michael.kadlick@audacy.com to submit any questions you may have.
And we're off...
Q: What is something about next year's Patriots team that fans should be happy about?
A: While New England's 4-13 2023-24 season wasn't what many expected from the Patriots, the "mutual parting of ways" with Bill Belichick can give fans one thing to look forward to: A fresh start.
While the head coach's tenure in Foxborough was undoubtedly the greatest in NFL history, all good things must come to an end and, after two consecutive losing seasons and their worst since 1992, owner Robert Kraft (and perhaps Belichick as well) had seen enough.
The franchise will now get a refresh with Jerod Mayo, the youngest head coach in the NFL, at the helm. Watching the new era unfold will be fascinating to watch.
Q: Could you see Mike Vrabel or Josh McDaniels taking a role above Jerod Mayo before they get back into coaching? Would that be too many cooks in the kitchen?
A: With Mike Vrabel, like Bill Belichick, believed to be on the outside looking in to the 2024 NFL coaching carousel, his connection to the Patriots organization is worth noting as they continue to fill out both their front office and their coaching staff.
Jerod Mayo, just 37 years old, will be a first-time head coach in 2024 and DeMarcus Covington, just 34, will be a first-time NFL defensive coordinator. Vrabel, meanwhile, is 48 and has not only done the two jobs mentioned above, but has done them quite well in his coaching career. Bringing him onto the staff in a senior advisor/director of football operations type of role could make a lot of sense as Mayo and co. ease into this new regime in Foxborough.
As for the offensive side of the ball, it was written by SI's Albert Breer last week that on top of their offensive coordinator hire, the Patriots could bring in "a senior offensive assistant backstopping him." To me, this screams Josh McDaniels, especially if the OC hire is Nick Caley.
McDaniels has not only been in the area (attending the team's final game of the season against the Jets and attending Bill Belichick's parting press conference earlier this month), but from what I understand, with Belichick failing to land a coaching job, could end up on the Patriots’ staff in some capacity in 2024.
Q: If QB Jayden Daniels tests poorly at the NFL Combine or LSU's Pro Day, could the Patriots trade down and take him? Or is his draft stock locked?
A: In his debut 2024 Mock Draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had the Patriots selecting UNC QB Drake Maye at No. 3 overall, with LSU's Jayden Daniels going second to the Washington Commanders. A flip-flop of the two and three quarterbacks in the class that many didn't see coming.
Kiper cited Daniels improving "so much in 2023, throwing 40 touchdown passes to just four interceptions while going up against a tough SEC schedule" and Maye's "inconsistency at the end of the season" as his reason for the switch.
Though it's still very early in the draft process, this intel is important to note and suggests that some in draft dircles could see Daniels as the No. 2 overall player in the entire class.
So yes, in theory, his stock could fall due to poor testing. However, if you're New England and Daniels is your guy, you shouldn't pass him over at pick No. 3.
Q: If the Bears make QB Justin Fields available for trade, should the Patriots look into it?
A: The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and, in all likelihood, will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
So what will they do with Justin Fields?
Fields was selected by the Bears with the 11th pick in the 2021 Draft and, while the Bears haven't had much success over his first three NFL seasons, he's still just 24 years old and his blend of size, speed, and arm talent will be worth something on the trade market should Chicago go with Williams.
The Patriots likely have some intel on Fields as the scouting department did work on him in the offseason leading up to the 2021 draft (when they selected Mac Jones). For the right price, I could see them making a move for the former Buckeye.
Q: Are teams' scouting data, reports, etc. proprietary information? Or could a coach (like Belichick) take that info with them?
A: This is an interesting question that, frankly, I don't have a clear answer for.
What I can say is that generally, teams hire their front office and scouting departments on a draft calendar, not a season calendar. Meaning that, unless fired along with a coaching staff, will remain in place contractually until after the following season's NFL Draft.
Long story short, the work the Patriots have done on this year's draft remains in the building and will be used as they continue their scouting process through April.
Q: Would Rice WR Luke McCaffrey be worth a draft pick?
A: Let's get nuts.
Christian McCaffrey's brother, Luke, was a team captain at Rice in 2023 and led the team in catches (71), yards (992), and touchdowns (13). The 6-foot-2, 195-pound wide receiver projects to be a late-round slot receiver.
So would he be worth a pick? Perhaps, but the Patriots also seem to already have their hand-picked slot receiver on the roster in DeMario Douglas.
Q: If the Vikings offered OT Christian Darrisaw, pick No. 11, and a future first round pick, would you trade back from No. 3?
A: Mock trade time!
Vikings get: No. 3 overall pick
Patriots get: No. 11 overall pick, OT Christian Darrisaw, future first-round pick
While the Patriots have plenty of holes to fill on their roster and could use some added capital (as well as a starting-caliber tackle in Darrisaw), I still don't think this haul is enough to give up No 3.
The reason? They need a quarterback and, at pick No. 11, the top-tier signal callers of Williams, Maye, and Daniels will all likely be gone.
I'm all for moving down for more picks but this mock haul from Minnesota isn't enough to pull the trigger.
Q: How much of a roster turnover can we expect with the Jerod Mayo Patriots?
A: The Patriots have 24 pending free agents heading into the start of the new league year (which we ranked here on WEEI.com last week), and there's no shot they keep them all.
So to answer the question, there will be plenty of turnover and with Belichick out, Mayo will certainly have his fingerprints on the new personnel.
Q: With the Shrine and Senior Bowl's coming up, don't the Patriots need to get a move on with an offensive coordinator hire?
A: As of Tuesday morning, the Patriots have interviewed (or plan to interview) 11 candidates for their offensive coordinator position:
- Nick Caley (Rams)
- Zac Robinson (Rams, hired by Falcons)
- Dan Pitcher (Bengals, hired by Bengals)
- Shane Waldron (Seahawks, hired by Bears)
- Jerrod Johnson (Texans)
- Thomas Brown (Panthers)
- Tanner Engstrand (Lions)
- Brian Fleury (49ers)
- Luke Getsy (Bears)
- Klint Kubiak (49ers)
- Scott Turner (Raiders)
To stay the search has been extensive is an understatement, however I still don't think they need to rush it yet if they're not ready to make a decision.
While the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl are this week, you don't need to draft these guys yet. You can still scout them, gather your intel, and set your boards once a decision on a coordinator and a scheme is made.
Q: What's next for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones?
A: Speaking of roster turnover, the Patriots have a decision to make this offseason when it comes to Mac Jones and, according to MassLive's Mark Daniels, aren't expected to pick up his fifth-year option.
Daniels did, however, report that the door remains open for Jones to return to the team in 2024 and barring a trade or a release (which is unlikely), he'll be on the roster.
Whether he's the starter, backup, or even makes the final roster remains to be determined but, if New England does go the quarterback route at the top of the 2024 draft, his days in Foxborough will be likely numbered in some capacity.
Q: Would you rather the Patriots sign Michael Pittman Jr. or Mike Evans in free agency?
A: One of the major holes on the Patriots roster heading into 2024 is at the wide receiver position.
If they're going to fill it through free agency, three of the top players on the market are Cincinnati's Tee Higgins, Indianapolis' Michael Pittman Jr., and Tampa Bay's Mike Evans.
It seems very likely that the Bengals will franchise Higgins so, between Pittman Jr. and Evans, who would I rather? I'm going with Evans.
The 30-year-old pass catcher has played 10 NFL seasons with the Buccaneers, has tallied over 1,000 yards in each one, and is a Super Bowl champion. Heading into their reset, the Patriots need not only high-quality players, but leaders. Evans can bring both to Foxborough in 2024.
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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