The New England Patriots have made some significant coaching moves, announcing that Alex Van Pelt will be joining the team as their new offensive coordinator under head coach Jerod Mayo.
In addition to Van Pelt, the Patriots have also brought on DeMarcus Covington as their defensive coordinator and Jeremy Springer to handle special teams, confirming earlier reports of these hires.
Van Pelt comes to the Patriots from the Cleveland Browns, where he spent the last four seasons serving as the offensive coordinator under head coach Kevin Stefanski. With 15 years of experience in various offensive coaching roles across different NFL teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Buffalo Bills, Van Pelt brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Patriots.
Having played nine seasons as an NFL backup quarterback, all with the Buffalo Bills, Van Pelt has a strong background in quarterback development, which will be invaluable for the Patriots as they navigate potential changes at the quarterback position.
Taking on the role of offensive coordinator under Mayo’s leadership marks a new chapter for the Patriots. Mayo, a former Patriots linebacker, is stepping into his first season as an NFL head coach, following in the footsteps of the legendary Bill Belichick, who recently departed the team after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl championships.
During his time with the Browns, Van Pelt managed to keep the team competitive despite quarterback challenges due to injuries. Despite the rotating cast of quarterbacks, the Browns’ offense, under Van Pelt’s guidance, remained competitive, ranking in the middle of the league in yards per game and points scored.
The addition of Van Pelt signals the Patriots’ commitment to offensive improvement and stability as they transition into a new era under Mayo’s leadership.