Patriots Rumors: Latest on GM Plans After Jerod Mayo Replaces Bill Belichick as HC

Change is in the air for the New England Patriots after parting ways with head coach Bill Belichick and promoting linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to replace him, but that apparently doesn't mean a general manager hire is on the way.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported on the team's latest plans and noted "history suggests that any hire is unlikely to be a GM who is given authority to run the entire football operation."

Robert and Jonathan Kraft have never hired a formal general manager in 30 years owning the Patriots and instead "will be looking for someone to oversee personnel and work in concert with new head coach Jerod Mayo."

Reiss highlighted director of scouting Eliot Wolf as someone who is "well-positioned to be the choice for more responsibility and to possibly lead personnel efforts."

Wolf was an assistant general manager for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and 2019 prior to joining the Patriots and will continue to work with director of player personnel Matt Groh, senior personnel advisor Pat Stewart, director of pro scouting Steve Cargile and college scouting coordinator Camren Williams.

How that group works together this offseason could set the stage for the franchise's long-term future.

After decades of dominance from Tom Brady and Belichick, the Patriots are at a crossroads. The quarterback hasn't been there since the 2019 season, and the head coach is no longer leading the way on the sidelines.

What's more, 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones looks like anything but a successful replacement for Brady and was benched at times during the 2023 campaign.

New England has the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft and could end up taking its next franchise quarterback with the selection. However, it may take some maneuvering up the draft board, as USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye could be the top two picks.

Perhaps the front office will attempt to trade up to No. 1 with the hope the Chicago Bears want to move forward with Justin Fields under center. Or perhaps the group will see how the first two picks unfold and decide from there on draft day.

The trade path would depend on the Bears as well, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday's SportsCenter that they are "in the early stages of the draft evaluation of all the top players" but would "likely" take Williams if they "are going to go that route" and select a quarterback.

That could take Williams off the board in what will be a critical offseason for the Patriots with a new coach and the quarterback position hanging in the balance.