The Patriot’s Coaching Future: 3 Candidates That Could Eventually Replace Belichick

The Patriots franchise is one of the NFL’s most successful American football teams of all time

The New England Patriots have won a whopping 6 Super Bowl titles, all of which were under the wings of head coach, Bill Belichick. At 69 years old, he is the longest-tenured NFL coach who is still currently active, having started his career with the team back in January of 2000.

During this time, the veteran football professional has been extremely influential in the franchises’ multiple successes, perhaps most well-known for coaching star quarterback and former Pat’s QBTom Brady over the course of two decades.

Although Brady found a new team in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as of last season, Belichick did not budge, announcing he had no intention to leave the organization. However, the fact remains that Belichick has been a football coach for a consecutive 46 seasons and retirement will come his way at some point.

As the Patriots enter a new regular season with a lower chance of being an AFC Futures winner according to top NFL betting odds, we thought it only fitting to take a look at three younger candidates who could step into the famous leaders’ shoes when he finally decides to hang up the towel.

Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels joined the Patriots in 2001 as their new personnel assistant, later serving in other coaching positions and later as offensive coordinator. At the end of the decade in 2009 he ended up leaving to become head coach for the Denver Broncos and later had a stint leading the offensive side of the St. Louis Rams.

Afterwards, McDaniels returned to the Patriots where he has been an active offensive coordinator coach since 2012, and, like Belichick, has been with the franchise for each of the team’s Championship victories.

For both fans and commentators, McDaniels seems to be the obvious choice for Belichick’s eventual replacement. The 45-year-old has not been shy on the topic either. The offensive coach has commented that he feels as though he would be a great fit for the position and would love to have the opportunity if it ever presented itself. With prior head coaching experience and a long history in the NFL, McDaniels is a sure-fire option.

Steve Belichick  

Another possible successor to the reigning Pat’s head coach could come from within his own personal connections. Steve Belichick is the middle of three sons raised by Belichick and, like his brother Brian, has worked for the football franchise’s head staff for years.

A valued member of the organization’s leadership team, the 34-year-old is the current outside linebackers coach but has also served in several other areas as safeties coach and defensive assistant. He was also one of the coaching members who helped the team get their hands on a Vince Lombardi at Super Bowl XLIX, also known as the year Katy Perry rocked the Halftime Show stage with a giant puppet tiger. If Steve continues to climb through the ranks in the next following seasons, he could build his resume up and be a real contender for the Pat’s coaching throne.