Kelley: Who Will Determine Alex Van Pelt’s Fate in New England?

The New England Patriots have two games left on their 2024 schedule. Currently sitting at 3-12, even “running the table” would leave the Patriots with a dozen losses for the second time in 32 seasons. Could the team’s struggles cost offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt his job after only one year in New England? And who gets to make such a decision for the Patriots?

Any discussion of Van Pelt’s job security is based on the assumption that head coach Jerod Mayo will return. If New England fires Mayo after one season, something that remains highly unlikely from this perspective, his replacement would likely want to bring in hand-picked coordinators to work with. Rumors of the Patriots’ interest in Mike Vrabel to replace Mayo have included talk of Josh McDaniels returning to New England to run the offense.

Van Pelt’s job security ties him to Mayo. If Mayo loses his job, Van Pelt will, too. But Jerod Mayo’s return doesn’t ensure his offensive coordinator will join him. Mayo stated earlier this week that when the season is over, he’ll look at which players and coaches he wants to keep around.

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Is Jerod Mayo responsible for determining Alex Van Pelt’s future with the franchise? The head coach used terms like “collaboration” and “knocking down silos” to describe the philosophy of the Patriots in the post-Belichick Era. Who decides on such a coaching change? Will Eliot Wolf, Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, and Robyn Glaser offer opinions? None of their thoughts should matter as much as one person, and that isn’t Jerod Mayo.

The Most Important Member of the Patriots

The Patriots’ decision about Alex Van Pelt’s future should be made with the most important member of the franchise in mind. That person is not a Kraft, Wolf, Glaser, or Mayo. It is rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye provides hope for the New England Patriots. He has started ten NFL games. He’s played only one full game, resulting in a victory, but Maye gives New England their best shot at returning to contention. The team’s decision needs to be made with what is best for Drake Maye in mind.

New England’s last first-round rookie quarterback was Mac Jones, who enjoyed a successful rookie campaign in 2021. Jones never possessed the talent or upside Maye has. That said, Mac Jones’ development was not aided by a constant turnover of offensive coordinators and supporting staff. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left after the 2021 season to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Non-offensive coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge replaced McDaniels. A year later, Bill O’Brien took over the OC role.

Maybe Mac Jones would not have thrived in New England under any circumstances. However, three offensive schemes in three seasons did him no favors.

Van Pelt’s Supporting Staff

Alex Van Pelt won’t leave alone if fired. What happens to offensive assistant Ben McAdoo? How about quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney? Considering most New England Patriots fans appear happy with Drake Maye’s performance, is eliminating his support system a good plan?

In theory, McAdoo or McCartney could replace Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. Would that be an upgrade? McAdoo’s only offensive coordinator job in the past ten seasons was with the 2022 Carolina Panthers. The 35-year-old McCartney has never held a coordinator position.

Alex Van Pelt’s conservative playcalling has come under scrutiny this season, often warranted. But is Van Pelt allowed to call his own game? There is a gray area involving what the offensive coordinator decides vs. simply following Mayo’s orders.

Another issue for grading Van Pelt’s performance is the lack of talent on offense. This is particularly clear on the offensive line. A lack of continuity, in addition to a lack of consistent quality play, makes it tough to judge how the offense operates. A better offensive line instantly makes Van Pelt a better offensive coordinator.

Instead of Eliot Wolf or Jerod Mayo deciding on the Patriots offensive coordinator in 2025, Drake Maye needs input. Nobody should suggest making Maye a de facto general manager, but if the Patriots want to see his continued positive progress, giving him some say on the coaches he works with is to everyone’s benefit.

If bringing back Alex Van Pelt is a positive for Drake Maye, the New England Patriots need to bring him back as their offensive coordinator. Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, Eliot Wolf, Robyn Glaser, and Jerod Mayo all play major roles in the franchise, but none are as important to turning things around as Drake Maye. All decisions must be made with that in mind.