The New England Patriots have reportedly initiated their quest for a new head of football operations. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Patriots are actively seeking their next top football executive, a position that would essentially serve as the team’s general manager. While the official title is not yet defined, this role would hold the highest authority among all football positions within the organization.
Following Bill Belichick’s departure in January, Director of Scouting Eliot Wolf has been acting as the de facto GM and is a candidate for the permanent position. However, team owner Robert Kraft is required to conduct an official search for a head of football operations under the Rooney Rule, necessitating interviews with at least two external minority candidates for the job.
During his tenure as acting GM, Wolf oversaw the team’s activities in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. Under his leadership, the Patriots retained several key players, including offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, tight end Hunter Henry, safety Kyle Dugger, tackle Christian Barmore, linebacker Joshua Uche, and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Additionally, the team added wide receiver K.J. Osborn and tight end Austin Hooper in the offseason.
In the draft, Wolf and the Patriots used their No. 3 overall pick to select UNC quarterback Drake Maye, rejecting trade offers from the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants for the valuable selection. These decisions will likely play a significant role in Wolf’s evaluation during the Patriots’ search process. If Kraft and his team approve of Wolf’s performance over the past few months, it seems probable that he will retain the position over other potential candidates.
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