What notable changes are occurring within the New England Patriots’ personnel department
According to a report from NBC Sports Boston, Eliot Wolf is set to take the helm of the Patriots‘ personnel department.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests that Wolf will assume responsibility for the personnel department, including control over the 53-man roster, in collaboration with head coach Jerod Mayo.
Additionally, Rapoport notes that Matt Groh is expected to focus primarily on college scouting, while Pat Stewart will play a significant role across various aspects of the department.
Over the past two years, Eliot Wolf has served as the Patriots’ director of scouting, while Matt Groh held the position of director of player personnel during the same period. Now, Wolf has transitioned to overseeing the personnel department, while Groh takes on a role focused on scouting. Notably, Groh previously served as the Patriots’ director of college scouting in 2021, making this role familiar territory for him.
The Patriots’ recent hiring decisions have shown a trend toward individuals with connections to Wolf, indicating his increasing influence within the organization. This was highlighted by reports on Wednesday stating the Patriots’ intention to bring in Alonzo Highsmith, the University of Miami GM of football operations, who has previously worked alongside Wolf in both the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns front offices.
Furthermore, several recent coaching appointments for the Patriots, including offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, and defensive line coach Jeremy Montgomery, have ties to Wolf from their time together in Green Bay spanning from 2004 through 2017.
With the NFL Draft looming and ample salary cap space available for free agency, Wolf and his team face a substantial workload in the coming months. The Patriots hold the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and their offseason moves will significantly impact the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
