The Patriots' senior offensive coordinator under coach Jerrod Mayo, Alex Van Pelt, will reportedly be involved in the team's development and decision-making at the quarterback position.
Following the announcement of Van Pelt's appointment this week, Ian Rapoport of the NFL He said New England will look to the 53-year-old when it comes to the signal caller in 2024 and his growth.
“The fact that he will have a strong hand in the Patriots' future franchise quarterback is very important in New England,” Rapoport said.
Van Pelt, an NFL quarterback turned QB coach and offensive coordinator, is a veteran on the sideline. His first season with the Headset dates back to 2006 as a Bills assistant.
Since then, the offensive mind has held quarterback coaching roles with Buffalo, Buccaneers, Packers, Bengals, and Browns. Van Pelt coached the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton, as well as Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson, and Joe Flacco in Cleveland.
His impact was felt in Green Bay, especially in 2014, the year he was promoted to the team's quarterbacks coach. Rodgers won the NFL MVP award that season, with a 112.2 passer rating, 4,381 yards, and 38 touchdowns.
Van Pelt was most recently the Browns' offensive coordinator, holding that position since 2020 before being fired after the 2023 season.
“He's really the perfect Patriots-type coach,” Rapoport said. “This is a man who lives and breathes [football]which is literally perfect for the New England Patriots.
“In this case, Jerrod Mayo appears to have gotten it right. … Alex Van Pelt was intricately involved in the preparation, design and execution of this Browns offense. He is an excellent teacher of the quarterback.”
With Bill Belichick gone and some assistant coaches replaced by outside candidates, a new era is descending on Foxboro. This could indicate a change in offensive philosophy and scheme without Belichick's influence, perhaps at the hands of Van Pelt.
Whether the Patriots end up sticking with Mac Jones or Billy Zappe at quarterback for another season, selecting a new signal-caller with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, or looking to land one in free agency, Van Pelt could have a say in that decision as well. . He will also have a role in player development with the franchise, based on Rapoport's comments.
Regardless, it couldn't hurt for the Patriots to have an experienced offensive coach on their staff with a new defensive-oriented head coach at the helm, as well as looking into the possibility of bringing in a new quarterback in 2024.
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