After interviewing more than 10 candidates for their vacant offensive coordinator position, the New England Patriots finally have their man.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots are hiring former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for the job.
The choice is a bit of a surprise considering Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley was believed to have jumped ahead as the frontrunner for the job. Pelt is definitely a candidate that flew under the radar.
However, the one key difference between him and Caley is experience. Van Pelt has been an offensive coordinator at two separate stops, and he spent the last four seasons on the job with the Browns. He also has experience juggling the quarterback coaching responsibilities with that role.
The #Patriots are hiring Alex Van Pelt as their offensive coordinator, per sources.
A former NFL quarterback and longtime respected assistant, Van Pelt spent the past four seasons as the #Browns’ OC. Now he fills a big spot on Jerod Mayo’s staff in New England. pic.twitter.com/WCg3pIL7eg
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 1, 2024
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo’s primary staff is complete with Van Pelt as the offensive coordinator, DeMarcus Covington as defensive coordinator and Jeremy Springer as the special teams coordinator.
Now begins the grueling task of filling the various other assistant coaching roles on the staff.