6 rings: Andrew Callahan joins Fitzy & Hart to talk about the Patriots' offseason
The 2023-2024 NFL season came to an end this weekend as the Kansas City Chiefs took down the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII. Patrick Mahomes and the bunch have now won two championships in a row, three of the last five, and have cemented themselves as the 21st century's second dynasty as they chase the greatness of the Patriots.
Given that, let's open up the mailbag as we enter one of New England's most important offseasons since the Kraft's bought the team.
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 away we go...
Q: Will Patrick Mahomes winning his third ring inspire Tom Brady to come out of retirement and play again?
A: While this would be an incredible story (and would be even better if he came back to the Patriots, who need a quarterback), Brady ain't comin' back.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the GOAT is on track to become a limited partner of the Raiders heading into next season, and he's also set to be calling games for FOX, including next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans.
As fun as it would be for Brady to return to the NFL and continue battling Mahomes and co., he'll be 47 years old by the start of next season and looks to be having plenty of fun making Dunkin' commercials with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Q: With what we saw in the Chiefs' Super Bowl win on Sunday, is it clear the Patriots need to draft a quarterback?
A: The short answer here is yes, it seems as though you need a mega-talent, if not simply Patrick Mahomes himself, at quarterback to win a Super Bowl in today's NFL.
So, where do you find those? At the top of the draft, of course! Seven out of the eight teams who made it to the Divisional Round of the 2023-24 playoffs were led by a quarterback who was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Look:
AFC:
-- Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes (2017, 1.10)
-- Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson (2018, 1.32)
-- Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud (2023, 1.02)
-- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen (2018, 1.07)
NFC:
-- San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy (2022, 7.262)
-- Detroit Lions: Jared Goff (2016, 1.01)
-- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love (2020, 1.26)
-- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield (2018, 1.01)
The one exception was, of course, Brock Purdy -- who took San Francisco to the Super Bowl before losing to Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Needless to say, the proof is in the pudding: the cream of the crop at quarterback is at the top of the draft, and the Patriots should pounce on one early in April's draft.
Q: With the Mac Jones trade rumors, could the Patriots consider starting Bailey Zappe next season with a rookie quarterback under him?
A: What Mac Jones rumors, you ask? Well, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mac Jones is a "trade candidate" and will likely end up "elsewhere" next season.
As for Zappe, while it may make sense for them to keep the 2022 fourth-round pick on their roster given his familiarity with the team and his relatively cheap contract, it's even easier to argue that they should simply cut bait.
Sure, Zappe (sort of) impressed down the stretch of last season, but one of the many factors that led to the downfall of the 2023-24 Patriots was the lack of a veteran presence in the quarterback room.
New England is better off going into next season with whatever rookie they so choose at the top of the draft, a veteran free to compete/help guide the room (a la Jacoby Brissett), and a camp arm.
Q: Have you seen the NFL Network's Mock Draft with the Patriots selecting WR Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 overall?
A: I have, and while I'm fully aboard the "draft a quarterback" train as of today, it's hard to argue with drafting a generational talent like Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 overall.
The former Ohio State wide receiver stands at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, and caught 144 passes for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns over the last two seasons with the Buckeyes. He's a consensus top-five player in the class and If the Patriots don't go the quarterback route, giving whoever they tab as the next signal-caller Harrison to throw to would be a slam dunk.
Q: Who will be the Patriots' wide receivers coach in 2024?
A: While former pass catcher Troy Brown has served as the Patriots' wide receivers coach for the last three seasons, the writing may be on the wall for the three-time Super Bowl champion.
Brown's contract with the team is reportedly up following last season and although served as an offensive coordinator at the 2024 Senior Bowl earlier this month, the 52-year-old chose not to don Pats apparel while in Mobile, instead opting for some bowl-issued gear. Take that for what it's worth.
So now what?
A candidate on everybody's radar should be Chad O'Shea. O'Shea spent 10 seasons as New England's wide receiver coach from 2009-18 before leaving alongside Brian Flores to become the Dolphins' offensive coordinator in 2019. He spent just one season in Miami before joining the Browns' staff, where he's been Cleveland's wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator since 2020.
O'Shea is apparently "close friends" with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who he worked with in Cleveland, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, so his return to Foxborough would make a lot of sense.
Q: Favorites for remaining coaching positions on the Patriots? Who do you think will be the assistant head coach?
A: There aren't many more jobs to fill on the Patriots' coaching staff aside from some lower-level assistants and quality control, should they choose to go that route.
New defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington has all of his position coach positions filled and on offense under Alex Van Pelt, New England is missing a wide receivers coach, running backs coach, and tight ends coach. Here's a look at the staff:
Defense:
-- DeMarcus Covington, defensive coordinator
-- Jerry Montgomery, defensive line
-- Mike Pellegrino, cornerbacks
-- Brian Belichick, safeties
-- Dont'a Hightower, inside linebackers
-- Drew Wilkins, outside linebackers
Offense:
-- Alex Van Pelt, offensive coordinator
-- Ben McAdoo, senior offensive assistant
-- T.C. McCartney, quarterbacks
-- Scott Peters, offensive line
-- Robert Kugler, offensive line
Favorites for the remaining two? I'll go with O'Shea (mentioned above) for wide receivers coach, and former Browns assistant Stump Mitchell to take over the vacant running backs spot.
It was also reported on Sunday night that the Patriots are hiring Tiquan Underwood as assistant wide receivers coach. Underwood played for New England in 2010-11 and has been in coaching since 2018.
Q: What's more likely: A Kyle Dugger extension of a Mike Onwenu extension? Will the other be franchise tagged?
A: It has to be Mike Onwenu, right?
The Patriots struggled in the offensive line department in 2023, allowing their quarterbacks to be sacked 48 times. The worst part? two of their better tackles in Onwenu and Trent Brown are free agents this offseason.
So, while Kyle Dugger may be a flashier signing, Onwenu's the way they should lean here on a long-term extension.
The franchise tag number for Dugger is projected to be $16,258,000, should New England prefer to go that route.
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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