NFL Rumors: Patriots 'Moving Forward' with Search for Top Exec to Replace Belichick

The New England Patriots have one more hire to complete to fully move on from the Bill Belichick era, and they are reportedly working toward that goal.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported Monday the AFC East team is "moving forward with a search for their next top football executive, a role that would amount to what's typically known in the NFL as a general manager."

Jones noted the position, which outranks other football positions within the organization and was known in the NFL office as New England's "primary football executive," was not passed from Belichick to new head coach Jerod Mayo.

New England has not been a directionless ship, though, as director of scouting Eliot Wolf has made personnel decisions since the franchise and Belichick parted ways.

Those decisions have included keeping the No. 3 pick in the draft instead of trading it and then using it on new franchise quarterback Drake Maye. They have also included signing offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, tight end Hunter Henry, safety Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Christian Barmore in free agency.

According to Jones, Wolf is a "candidate" for the open role and will be evaluated, in part, on the moves he has made of late.

The Patriots certainly needed something of an overhaul after going 4-13 last season and missing the playoffs for the third time in four years. That is a far cry from the dominance of the years when Tom Brady and Belichick were together, which resulted in six Super Bowl titles.

Yet it is a new era in New England with Mayo taking over as head coach and Maye attempting to be the franchise quarterback that Mac Jones never could before he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Accomplishing that task will require the right pieces around him, which makes the decision regarding the top football executive all the more important.

The Patriots have taken their time with such an important hire, but it seems like there could be a decision made in the relatively near future given this report.