Belichick-Wolf Split of Patriots Roster is Nearly 50-50 in 2024

Jerod Mayo met with the media after being named the New England Patriots head coach in January. He replaced Bill Belichick, who held the position in Foxboro for 24 seasons. Mayo stated he would “rebuild relationships, knock down silos, and collaborate” in his new role. It sounded like a small dig at his predecessor, who also enjoyed the final say in New England’s front office. The Patriots named Eliot Wolf to take over Belichick’s executive responsibility as having the final say in the room.

New England waited until May to name Wolf to his post as leader of the Patriots’ front office. However, he was the team’s de facto general manager after Belichick’s departure and through the NFL Draft. In Wolf’s first offseason in his new role (his official title is Executive Vice President of Player Personnel), the turnover on the team’s roster has been significant.

The Patriots have yet to trade for any players under Wolf. The largest contract he gave out to a player from outside the organization went to Chukwuma Okorafor. It was a one-year deal worth $4 million for a player who Pittsburgh had released.

New England focused the bulk of their spending on players originally brought in by Bill Belichick. This fact was not lost on the legendary coach. In his new role as a media member, Belichick discussed the Patriots’ offseason moves. in a preview of his show “COACH” on Underdog Fantasy. He pointed out how many of the moves were players he originally brought to New England.

Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia break down the Patriots offseason moves.

Episode 1 of COACH, coming soon 👀 pic.twitter.com/R1FiYJ3AYB

— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) September 3, 2024

A breakdown of the 58 players on the 2024 New England Patriots (53-man roster plus five players who can return from PUP, NFI, or IR lists), by how they ended up with the team:

Brought to New England by Bill Belichick (29)

These players fall into four categories based on how they first became Patriots. Players with an asterisk (*) begin the season inactive.

Draft Picks (15): RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Kayshon Boutte, WR DeMario Douglas, WR Tyquan Thornton, OL Sidy Sow, OG Cole Strange*, DL Christian Barmore*, DE Keion White, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Marcus Jones, DB Marte Mapu*, P Bryce Baringer, and LS Joe Cardona.

Free Agents (6): DL Daniel Ekuale, DT Devon Godchaux, DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr., LB Raekwon McMillan, LB Jahlani Tavai, and DB Jabill Peppers.

Trade (1): Vederian Lowe.

Undrafted Rookie Free Agents (3): OC David Andrews, CB Jonathan Jones, and ST Brenden Schooler.

Waivers (4): RB JaMycal Hasty, LB Christian Elliss, and CB Marco Wilson.

Brought to New England by Eliot Wolf (23)

These players joined the Patriots in 2024 after Eliot Wolf unofficially took the organizational reigns. Once again, players are grouped into four categories, with an asterisk (*) indicating those who begin the season inactive.

Draft Picks (8): QB Drake Maye, QB Joe Milton III, WR Javon Baker, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, TE Jaheim Bell, OG Layden Robinson, OT Caedan Wallace, and CB Marcellas Dial Jr.

Free Agents (10): QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson, WR K.J. Osborn, TE Austin Hooper, OL Nick Leverett, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, LB Sione Takitaki*, LB Oshane Ximines, DB Jaylinn Hawkins, and PK Joey Slye

Trade (0)

Undrafted Rookie Free Agents (1): DB Dell Pettus.

Waivers (4): OT Demontrey Jacobs, OL Zach Thomas, DL Eric Johnson II, and LB Curtis Jacobs.

Brought by Belichick, Retained by Wolf (6)

Six New England Patriots fit this category. They came to the team under Bill Belichick but could have departed in free agency this offseason. Eliot Wolf signed all six either in free agency or just before they became free agents. An asterisk (*) symbolizes they begin the season inactive, in this case, on PUP.

Retained (6): WR Kendrick Bourne*, TE Hunter Henry, OL Mike Onwenu, LB Anfernee Jennings, WR Joshua Uche, and DB Kyle Dugger.

"They hold a special place in my heart"❤️💙@BournePoly11 on potentially returning to the @Patriots pic.twitter.com/i00MjeU3cP

— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) March 8, 2024

The breakdown of how the 2024 New England Patriots got where they are ultimately doesn’t matter a great deal. All 58 are part of the same group now, whether they were an first-round pick by Bill Belichick or an Eliot Wolf waiver claim. Of course that won’t stop folks from doling out credit or blame as this season, and those that follow, play out.