The New England Patriots have started moving toward perhaps restructuring their football operations department now that the NFL Draft is behind them.

Longtime head coach Bill Belichick left his position as the organization’s top football administrator, and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that the hunt is underway for his replacement. But Belichick’s role as their de facto general manager was vacant following his split from the Patriots in January.

It is unclear if the Patriots will appoint a formal general manager in Year 1 following Belichick. The truth is, though, that they do not presently have a “primary football executive,” as defined by the NFL.

Right now, Eliot Wolf is the closest they have to that capacity. After Belichick’s departure from New England in 2022, he assumed leadership of the front office and was listed as director of scouting. Leading a team that comprised fellow executives Matt Groh, Alonzo Highsmith, and Patrick Stewart, Wolf was granted the last say over hiring choices in both the draft and free agency.

Given his role in the last four months in the Patriots’ roster and salary cap construction—particularly with reference to the selection of quarterback Drake Maye third overall—Wolf must be seen as a strong contender, if not the clear favorite, for the position. The NFL’s regulations, however, prohibit him from assuming sole control as chief executive.


The Patriots must conduct at least two in-person interviews with external minority candidates for the available position in accordance with the so-called Rooney Rule. This implies that meeting those standards wouldn’t be met by only speaking with the previously stated Alonzo Highsmith or other minority executives present in the building.

Robert Kraft, the team owner, made a suggestion back in January that there might eventually be an official search for a new director of football operations.


At the time, Kraft stated, “We’re counting on our internal people whom we’re still learning and evaluating.” “We’re going to let that develop and grow, and we’ll nominate someone before the important decisions need to be taken. We’ll most likely begin conducting interviews and observing outsiders at the same time. However, my bias has always been to work toward creating an internal culture where we can communicate with each other in all of our family businesses.

“We have to make significant changes for the first time in 25 years, and we want to assess what we have in-house and what is available in the market before acting appropriately.”

Kraft made these comments during Jerod Mayo’s inaugural press conference as head coach. Mayo took over without conducting a coaching search. He was Belichick’s assistant coach and a former linebacker. His contract with the Patriots guaranteed that he would eventually replace Belichick, which made this conceivable.

Such a clause is not included in any of the Patriots front office members’ contracts, including Wolf. Consequently, the group has started the process of appointing a senior executive, either Wolf or another person.