As the Chiefs and 49ers face off, football fans bid farewell to the 2023 NFL season, with no games to watch until the August preseason. The Patriots have already shifted their focus to rebuilding the team, with changes in the offensive coaching staff and the return of Dont’a Hightower as a linebacker coach. Eliot Wolf has brought in coaches and personnel from his time at the Packers, creating a familiar feel. In other news, Patriots rookie Isaiah Bolden suffered a serious head injury, former Patriot front office member Michael Lombardi dismissed the “Brady or Belichick” narrative, and Brian Belichick will return to the Patriots coaching staff for his ninth year, potentially remaining as safeties coach. Meanwhile, Steve Belichick has moved on to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.
During a Radio Row interview with the 2-6 show from 98.5, Matthew Judon, the New England Patriots’ star edge rusher, spoke candidly about his future with the team. Despite suffering a bicep tendon injury against Dallas in Week 4 of the 2023 season, after a huge 2022 season and garnering four sacks, Judon was off to a great start. The team missed his leadership and production. Judon said he wants to remain with the Patriots, but the decision is up to the front office. He added that the game is a business, and he has to win the business aspect.
As for the QB situation with the Patriots, Judon gave a typically candid response to whether Mac Jones is a “good fit” with the team. He said he doesn’t care who the QB is, as long as the offense scores points and sustains drives.
Kendrick Bourne, who tore his ACL and was lost for the season, wants to return to the Patriots. He said being a Patriot helped him grow into the player he is today, and he doesn’t want to take that for granted.
In the Patriots 4th & 2 Podcast, Derek Havens and the host discussed the new hires of the coaching staff and front office and gave their Super Bowl predictions.
The former Patriot tight end Russ Francis and head coach Chuck Fairbanks should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and it’s a travesty that Francis isn’t in it yet.
The Patriots have hired Dont’a Hightower, one of their best linebackers in recent history, as the next linebackers coach on Jerod Mayo’s staff. Hightower played 134 regular-season and playoff games in his career and was nicknamed “Mr. February” for his knack for making big plays during Super Bowls.
Last year, Mayo was asked about his potential as a coach after Hightower announced his retirement. Mayo believed that Hightower would make a phenomenal coach and expressed his desire to recruit him when he had the chance to run his own team. Mayo’s wish has been granted, and many Patriots players, including Wise, Uche, Bentley, and Stevenson, are excited about Hightower’s hiring.
Eliot Wolf, the Patriots’ de facto GM, has been building the coaching staff and front office in the “Packers Way,” emphasizing the importance of building through the draft. Wolf has made several hires with connections to Green Bay, including offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, and DL coach Jerry Montgomery. Mayo’s coaching staff is beginning to take shape, with several positions still open.
In addition to the coaching staff, Wolf has brought in Alonzo Highsmith, a talented talent evaluator from the University of Miami, to work with personnel in an unnamed role. Michael Irvin, a former teammate of Highsmith’s at Miami, believes that Highsmith’s partnership with Mayo will be a dangerous combination.
Irvin also shared an anecdote about Mayo’s coaching style, emphasizing his ability to open up conversations with players. This approach differs from Bill Belichick’s coaching style.
Irvin’s Super Bowl pick is San Francisco 24-21 over Kansas City. The article also includes the records of Irvin’s picks for the past five seasons.
