Patriots Daily: Belichick Happy in New England; Wallace Signs

The New England Patriots organization has made many changes since their disappointing 4-13 season in 2023. No change was more significant than the team “parting ways” with longtime head coach and head of football operations, Bill Belichick after 24 years. Steve Belichick called New England’s defensive plays last season but left to become defensive coordinator at the University of Washington. That leaves only one family member on the Patriots’ staff in 2024: Safeties coach Brian Belichick.

Belichick spoke to Mark Daniels of MassLive about remaining with the organization.

“I was thankful and happy to get the opportunity to coach here and was thankful and happy to take advantage of it and take (Jerod Mayo) up on it. I have a lot of gratitude in my life right now with my daughter, my job, being here, living in this area.” Belichick continued, “I love it. I just hope I can contribute to help us be the best team we can this year.”

Brian Belichick joined the Patriots coaching staff in 2017. He became their safeties coach in 2020. The unit has been a team strength in that time, featuring players like Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers.

Caeden Wallace Signs

On Friday, the Patriots announced the signing of third-round pick Caeden Wallace. The offensive tackle from Penn State became the sixth member of New England’s draft class to come to terms on a rookie contract. Only Ja’Lynn Polk and Layden Robinson remain unsigned.

Wallace played right tackle exclusively in college. With Mike Onwenu expected to occupy that spot for the foreseeable future in New England, the rookie will compete for the starting left tackle spot with the likes of Chukmura Okorafor and Calvin Anderson. Wallace is expected to make the 53-man roster out of camp as a reserve lineman at the least. He stated he is capable of playing anywhere along the offensive line. Where he ultimately plays will be determined by the performances of himself and others over the coming months. Stay tuned.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily:

Football Fun Fact of the Day

Eliot Wolf wasted no time selecting a Penn State player in the NFL Draft for New England. Caeden Wallace was the No. 68 overall pick in Wolf’s first year with the final say for the Patriots. During Bill Belichick’s tenure, only one Nittany Lions player was drafted. Belichick drafted Rich Ohrberger with the fourth round (No. 123 overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.

New England drafted Penn State player much more frequently in the decade before Robert Kraft purchased the team.

1984 – Jon Williams
1985 – Tony Mumford
1989 – Michael Timpson
1992 – Sam Gash
1993 – Todd Rucci

Post of the Day

From the voice of the New England Patriots Bob Socci, Caeden Wallace sounds calm and confident about the transition over to the left side in the NFL:

Caedan Wallace, who started at right tackle for Penn State, on his experience practicing at left tackle in ⁦@Patriots⁩ rookie mini-camp: pic.twitter.com/MajzYCZVYg

— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) May 11, 2024

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