Report: Patriots Expected Add Ex-Jets Assistant To Coaching Staff

The New England Patriots will enter the new 2021 NFL season with the different coaching staff. The team has added a new assistant coach.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that the New England was expected to hire former New York Jets offensive assistant Bo Hardegree. Pelissero explained that Hardegree will help “fill the void left by Jedd Fisch’s departure.” Fisch was coaching Patriots quarterbacks in 2020. He left the organization and became a head coach at the University of Arizona.

Hardegree is one of Adam Gase’s disciples. He worked under the former Jets head coach in New York. He was also working in Miami, Chicago, and Denver. Hardegree has plenty of experience with quarterbacks. He was the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach from 2016 to 2018.

The 36-year-old was a quarterback at Tennessee from 2004 to 2007. He didn’t throw any collegiate passes. Hardegree’s college career overlapped with that of Jerod Mayo. The latter played for the Volunteers from 2004 to 2007.

Patriots to strengthen the coaching staff

Hardegree will work under Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He was coaching Patriots quarterbacks for some time. Head coach Bill Belichick has yet to make a decision on his title with the team.

Gase has a nice relationship with Belichick. He was mentioned as a replacement for Fisch. Right before the team fired him last month, Belichick praised his efforts with the quarterbacks. Belichick did say he has a lot of respect for Gase.

New England is trying to revitalize the passing game in the offseason. They ranked 30^th in passing yards, 22^nd in yards per attempt, 24^th in completion percentage, and tied for last in TD passes in 2020.

Veteran quarterback Cam Newton will enter the open market this offseason. Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala are the only quarterbacks under contract with the team. Belichick is looking for his next franchise quarterback. Will he keep Newton on the roster? It’s a tricky situation for the team.

The Patriots head coach will do his best to pack his team with talent. The same applies to his coaching staff. Let’s see how will the patriots handle their situation.