In the wake of the Patriots firing Jerod Mayo after one season as head coach, it’s being reported that the organization has made another major change with the coaching staff.
The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin is reporting that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is also expected to be relieved of his duties after one season in New England, joining his head coach on the unemployment line.
It is worth noting, however, that it has since been confirmed to WEEI's The Greg Hill Show and other outlets that Mayo was the only coach who was informed he was being fired on Sunday. That doesn't mean there won't be more changes to the coaching staff in the days and weeks to come, though.
While Van Pelt has received praise from both fans and media in recent weeks for the development of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, New England’s offense has struggled mightily all season long.
Coming into Week 18, they ranked 30th in total offense, aided in large part to being ranked dead-last in passing offense. While their rushing offense ranked in the middle of the pack (13th), much of that had to do with improvisational runs from the fleet-of-foot Maye escaping pressure.
Maye has spoken glowingly about his relationship with Van Pelt, saying recently at the podium that he would love for the 54-year-old coordinator to return.
But with Mayo gone, Van Pelt follows.
Van Pelt had previously served as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2020-23), but this was the first time in his coaching career where he was given full-time play calling duties. Before serving as OC in Cleveland, Van Pelt had stops in Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Green Bay and Cincinnati in various offensive coaching roles from 2006 to 2019.
Prior to coaching, Van Pelt spent nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills as their primary back-up quarterback, only starting 11 games from 1995 to 2003.
As of publishing, there is no reporting on the future of Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.
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