The New England Patriots season came to a close during Super Wild Card Weekend and now the focus shifts from winning games towards building yet another playoff contender throughout the offseason. While Bill Belichick looks to retool his roster, he may also need to look to fill various positions on his coaching staff and front offense. A number of Patriots personnel members have been identified as hot names to monitor during this hiring cycle, ranging from head coaching and GM positions.
Below, we'll look to keep a running tracker of where notable names -- like linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and director of player personnel Dave Ziegler -- are garnering interest across the league.
Mayo to interview for Raiders jobJan. 24 -- Jerod Mayo is flying to Las Vegas on Monday to interview for the head coaching job with the Raiders on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Mayo was the first request the Raiders put in as they began their search for a head coach, so it would appear like he is held in high regard. Las Vegas also interviewed Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler for their GM opening this weekend, so if they decide to hire Ziegler, Mayo could be a logical pairing.
Mayo not among finalists for Broncos jobJan. 24 -- Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Monday that the Denver Broncos have narrowed down their head coaching search. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell and Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are reportedly the three finalists for the job. That seems to suggest that Mayo -- who interviewed with the Broncos -- will not be heading to Denver.
Texans aiming for Pats ties with coaching vacancyJan. 21 -- CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reports that league sources feel the opening head coaching job with the Houston Texans will ultimately go to someone with ties to the Patriots organization to work with GM Nick Caserio. This has been a long speculation approach for the Texans as they not only have Caserio -- who worked in New England from 2001-2020 -- slotted in as the GM, but executive vice president of football operations, Jack Easterby, also spent a sizable chunk of his career with the Patriots. One name that has already been reported that fits that bill is current Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. Brian Flores -- who was fired from the Dolphins a few weeks ago -- may also fit that criteria of having New England ties this cycle.
McDaniels a name to watch with RaidersJan. 20 -- Josh McDaniels' name hasn't been floated out much during this latest hiring cycle, but he could still garner some late interest. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones notes that McDaniels' name keeps getting floated out for the opening head coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders. While it may take certain pieces to fall perfectly into place to pry McDaniels out of Foxborough, Jones highlights that folks should keep an eye on Vegas.
Wolf interviews for Vikings GM jobJan 20. -- The Minnesota Vikings announced on Thursday that they have completed their interview with Patriots Senior Consultant Eliot Wolf for their open GM job. Wolf has been with New England for the past two seasons working in the front office. Prior to that, he was the assistant GM for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and 2019, and worked in the Packers front office from 2004-2017.
Mayo interviews for Broncos jobJan. 19 -- The Denver Broncos announced that they officially conducted their head coaching interview with Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo on Wednesday. Mayo is considered to be one of the more popular coaching candidates this cycle as his stock has continued to rise over the last few years. Denver fired former head coach Vic Fangio after three seasons.
Raiders request two members of the PatriotsJan. 17 -- Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Las Vegas Raiders have put in a request to interview Jerod Mayo for their head coach opening. On top of that, Vegas has also requested to interview director of player personnel Dave Ziegler for their GM opening after firing Mike Mayock. Ziegler just finished his ninth season with the Patriots organization and first as the director of player personnel.
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Jan 13 -- In the aftermath of the Houston Texans firing coach David Culley, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Jerod Mayo is expected to emerge as a leading candidate for the job. There is a natural connection between the Texans front office and the Patriots as Nick Caserio and Jack Easterby are atop the masthead in Houston and spent several years in New England.
McDaniels has interest around the NFLJan. 13 -- According to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not expected to pursue head coaching opportunities during New England's playoff run. That said, McDaniels has had significant interest around the league with Wilson naming the likes of the Bears, Vikings, and Giants as possible suitors.
Bears interested in Eliot WolfJan. 12 -- The Chicago Bears have requested permission to interview Patriots senior consultant Eliot Wolf for their opening GM position after firing Ryan Pace a few weeks ago, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Wolf just finished his second season with the Patriots and has primarily helped in the scouting department, which enjoyed great success last offseason. In 2021, New England had a fantastic draft, bringing in the likes of Mac Jones, Christian Barmore, and Rhamondre Stevenson. That success rate is seemingly catching the eye of the rest of the league. Before joining the Patriots, Wolf was the Browns assistant GM and worked in the Packers from offense from 2004-2017 prior to that job in Cleveland.
Broncos request permission to interview Mayo
