Patriots Release 2 Bill Belichick Favorites From 2023 Defense

The New England Patriots cut ties with head coach Bill Belichick and decided to adjust the defense as well. Belichick was able to build a strong defense, but it seems like Jerod Mayo has a different perspective.

Defensive tackle Lawrence Guy and safety Adrian Phillips are no longer part of the Patriots defense, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Mayo believes that his defense would look much better without both veterans. He has no concerns about the look of the defensive line in 2024 and neither does defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.

The #Patriots are also releasing veteran safety Adrian Phillips, per source. So two veterans on defense gone as New England gets younger in the post-Bill Belichick era. https://t.co/3bpB83aMjk

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 19, 2024

The Patriots have enough cap space to fill in their roster holes and these $6 million will definitely elevate their game.

The #Patriots clear $6M in cap space by parting ways with Lawrence Guy and Adrian Phillips, whose releases were first reported by @TomPelissero. Both were great with the media.

Guy is still a good space-eater and run-stopper, but Phillips struggled in limited defensive snaps

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) February 19, 2024

Guy had a key role on Belichick’s defense and he really appreciates the time he spent in New England. He was part of a successful team for many years. He helped the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. Now is the perfect time to move on.

“Thank you New England you welcomed my family and I for the past seven years and always made us feel at home, the community we build the people we met and the communities we impacted thank you for always welcoming us with open arms,” Guy wrote on X. “I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.”

Thank you New England you welcomed my family and I for the past seven years and always made us feel at home,the community we build the people we met and the communities we impacted thank you for always welcoming us with open arms. I'm excited to see where this journey takes me. pic.twitter.com/c6Fxf9xPaq

— Lawrence Guy (@thatLGUY) February 19, 2024

Patriots reshape efficient Belichick defense

Belichick had great praise for Phillips. According to him, the safety was pretty similar to Patrick Chung. Things didn’t look too good for him though. In 2023, Phillips started just one game and allowed a 100 percent completion rate.

High praise for #Patriots S Adrian Phillips @Phillips_17 from Bill Belichick Monday – even comparing him in some ways to a future Patriot HOFer @PatrickChung23 – @wbz

**this is just a portion of Bill’s 4 minute answer on question asked by @MarkDanielsPJ

(Via @Patriots @nfl) pic.twitter.com/87EuD1tehH

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) November 22, 2021

The Patriots signed defensive back Jabrill Peppers in 2022. He will stay on the Patriots secondary in 2024. Mayo may decide to give him a bigger role on the field.

Jabrill Peppers in coverage this season

34 targets
20 receptions allowed, 132 yards
2 INTs, 6 forced incompletions
52.9 passer rating allowed

💥 pic.twitter.com/TcxgcFzWSC

— PFF NE Patriots (@PFF_Patriots) February 13, 2024

Mayo has great plans for his team and this is the start of a new era for the Patriots organization. Let’s see how things turn out at the end.