The New England Patriots have made it almost official that Eliot Wolf is the team’s manager in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
A report released on Wednesday stated that Wolf, whose position is director of scouting, “appears to be in charge” of the Patriots personnel department. Anyone paying attention could see that much, since some of his former colleagues were brought in to help staff the front offices and coaching departments.
It’s still a question as to who will be Wolf’s right-hand man, however.
Bill Belichick, in his time as the Patriots’ de-facto general manager, always had someone heading up the personnel operation. Scott Pioli, Nick Caserio and Matt Groh never had final say, but were sounding boards for Belichick and collaborated with him to make draft, free agency and trade decisions. It could be expected that Groh would hold onto that role while Wolf was elevated, but it appears recent hire Alonzo Highsmith could leapfrog him.
But who will be Wolf’s right-hand guy remains to be seen.
When Bill Belichick was the de facto general manager of the Patriots, the personnel department was always led by someone. While never having the last word, Scott Pioli, Nick Caserio, and Matt Groh worked with Belichick to make judgments on the draft, free agency, and trades. Groh was expected to stay in that position when Wolf was promoted, but it looks like newcomer Alonzo Highsmith might overtake him.
Wolf and Highsmith were “inseparable” in both stops, according to Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal. They collaborated with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns.
Highsmith has almost thirty seasons of NFL experience as a player, scout, and executive. He most recently worked at the University of Miami.
Giardi said that Groh was “good as gone” if Belichick was given the chance to become head coach, which supports the theory that Groh’s influence is waning now that Wolf is in charge. Giardi anticipates close coordination between administration Bobby Brown, scout Patrick Stewart, and director of college scouting Camren Williams.
If the Patriots’ offseason actions thus far indicate anything, it’s that Wolf and Highsmith will play a major role in determining choices.
