Perry: Wolf is ‘overwhelming favorite’ to be named Pats chief executive

Perry: Wolf is ‘overwhelming favorite’ to be named Pats chief executive originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

The New England Patriots reportedly began the search for their next head of football operations as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season.

The Patriots have operated with scouting director Eliot Wolf as their de facto general manager since Bill Belichick’s departure in January. Wolf navigated New England through NFL free agency as well as the 2024 draft, where the Pats selected quarterback Drake Maye to be the next face of the franchise with the third overall pick.

While team owner Robert Kraft will do due diligence in the organization’s search for a front-office leader, no significant changes are expected. Our Phil Perry reports that Wolf is “the overwhelming favorite” to be named New England football’s top executive.

“My understanding is that this is a real formality,” Perry said Monday. Early Edition, as seen in the video above. “There is a formal process the Patriots will have to go through to elevate Eliot Wolf to their chief football executive. I don’t believe the title he will receive is general manager. since they own the team.

“But the expectation — in league circles and from people I’ve talked to over the last few hours — is that Eliot Wolf gets the job. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get the job. He’s the overwhelming favorite. So they have to get through it. , they have to tick this box to be able to elevate him to that position and appoint him as chief executive of football, and that is what they are doing now.

Under the Rooney Rule, all NFL teams must interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach, general manager and executive positions. When that box is checked, our Tom E. Curran agrees that it would be a shock if Wolf didn’t get the job.

“To me, you can’t run a draft where you allow him to have a say in the third overall pick, the rest of the draft, free agency, and then say, ‘You know what? That was a mistake. Let’s get Joe Blow here ,’ Curran said. “For me, it’s a formality.”

Wolf has been with the Patriots since 2020, when he joined the organization as a consultant. He has served as New England’s director of scouting since 2022.

Previously, Wolf worked for the Green Bay Packers from 2004-17. He started as a professional personnel assistant and rose through the front-office ranks to become the director of football operations in 2016. He was the assistant general manager of the Cleveland Browns from 2018-19.

“I’ll say that also from talking to people around the league,” added Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. “Eliot’s reputation is excellent and there are a lot of people who think it’s about time he got that opportunity. And in general, they think he’s done a good job with what he’s been given so far.”