Patriots’ staff fares poorly in ESPN coaching power rankings

Jerod Mayo and the Patriots’ revamped coaching staff are staring at a steep uphill climb this upcoming season. 

Not only does Mayo have the unenviable task of replacing a coaching legend in Bill Belichick, the Patriots are likely looking at a multi-year rebuild — with several glaring holes on their roster unlikely to be shored up this season. 

Considering the numerous question marks surrounding the Patriots’ roster and the lack of experience on New England’s coaching staff, ESPN tabbed the Patriots as the 30th-ranked coaching staff out of 32 NFL teams on the network’s coaching power rankings. 

Only the Las Vegas Raiders (32nd) and Washington Commanders (31st) ranked lower than New England.

Granted, ESPN’s Ben Solak actually had plenty of praise for both Mayo and his potential as a head coach — as well as first-year defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. 

“I’m betting on Mayo,” Solak noted. “I don’t think it’s an accident the Patriots kept him in the building as Belichick’s presumed successor — they likely know they have a great defensive mind who provides a fresh breath of personality at the helm. … This defensive coaching staff, which retained both Mayo and DeMarcus Covington from last year’s group, will put another great defense out on the field.”

However, the offense remains the top question mark in Foxborough — with Solak raising concerns about new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and his ability to get the most out of rookie QB Drake Maye. 

“Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has been an NFL coach since 2006,” Solak noted. “The Patriots are the sixth team he has worked for, and this will be his third crack at offensive coordinator. He is as establishment as it gets. 

“That isn’t necessarily bad, of course — Van Pelt has a quarterback-friendly offense, which serves both Jacoby Brissett (who played for Van Pelt in Cleveland) and rookie QB Drake Maye — but it isn’t good, either. New offensive coordinators such as Ryan Grubb, Brad Idzik or Klint Kubiak are much more likely than Van Pelt to bring inventive ideas to the table.”

The first test for Mayo and Van Pelt this season will be determining who will start Week 1 under center for New England — with both coaches still evaluating Maye and Jacoby Brissett entering Sunday’s preseason finale against the Commanders.