While the New England Patriots may have moved on from Bill Belichick last offseason, they didn’t exactly clear out the coaching staff.
They promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach, promoted DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator and kept on a number of assistants, including Belichick’s son, Brian.
Interestingly, Covington, who is in his first year running the defense, is already being considered a head coaching candidate for the upcoming hiring cycle, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“A college receiver at Samford, Covington got his big break in coaching when the Patriots hired him as an assistant in 2017,” Pelissero wrote. “He has climbed the ladder in New England since, becoming Jerod Mayo’s top pick for DC when the first-time head coach replaced Bill Belichick this past January. Covington runs the show on defense, allowing Mayo to focus more attention elsewhere. And the defense has gotten better as the season has gone on, with young players developing under the first-year coordinator. Covington has the traits — bright, good communicator, knows ball, liked and respected by coaches and players — to lead his own team eventually.”
New England’s defense has dropped off from last season.
In 2023, the defense, which was run by Mayo and Belichick’s other son, Steve, finished sixth in yards allowed (301.6 per game) and 14th in points allowed (21.5 per game).
This year, they’re 20th in yards (345.2 per game) and 18th in points (22.5 per game).
Obviously, the Patriots have had some roster changes since then and they’re not playing the same teams, but it’s been tough to watch most games.
If Covington wants to be a head coach in the future, he’ll have to raise the level that his defense plays in their final six games.
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