Report: Bill Belichick's Sons Brian, Steve Can Stay with Patriots After Dad's Exit

It looks like the New England Patriots still may have some Belichick representation in 2024.

The franchise parted ways with head coach Bill Belichick following a 24-year run that saw the team win six Super Bowls and qualify for the postseason 18 times. The team hired former player Jerod Mayo to be the next head coach and his next task will be filling out his staff.

While Belichick's sons Steve and Brian appear to be candidates to join their father at his next destination, However, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reported that Mayo has also extended the option of the two returning to the Patriots on his staff.

Mayo spoke about his respect for Steve specifically, as the two worked closely running the Patriots defense in recent seasons.

"I spent a lot of time with Steve in the dungeon, and we would go in there and break down film and talk ball," Mayo said, per Reiss "Hearing it from him, from a coach's perspective -- one of the greatest head coaches' sons; and then I brought the on-the-field perspective."

Mayo continued by praising the connection he shares with Steve and how it developed during his time as a player for New England.

"Even back then, 2013, 2014, we just had a connection," Mayo said. "We kind of spoke the same language. With that being said, when we game-planned [as coaches] and talked to the players and things like that, it was very natural. I love coaching with Steve."

Steve has been on the Patriots staff since 2012 while Brian joined the franchise in 2016. Steve served as the outside linebackers coach in 2023 while Mayo was the inside linebackers coach and the two ran the defense as a whole together.

Brian was also involved with the defensive side of the ball, serving as the team's safeties coach.

Mayo is the first new Patriots head coach in the 21st century and the possibility of shaking the staff up could have been a favorable option after Belichick's long tenure. However, keeping some semblance of the past appears to be the preference for Mayo and it also could result in promotions for the two brothers if he were to name one of them defensive coordinator.

That doesn't mean everything will be status quo for New England next year, which should be a good thing considering the team went 4-13 in 2023. Still, Mayo and company will have a lot to live up to as the next era of Patriots football begins.