Patriots Rumors: It Rides the Bus Hires Alex Van Pelt.

Van Pelt replaces Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. The Patriots have yet to hire or promote anyone to the position of general manager, but it’s clear who is in charge after Bill Belichick leaves New England.According to several recent reports, scouting director Eliot Wolff has become the de facto general manager of the Patriots. A new report on the hiring of New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt paints a similar picture.”(Van Pelt’s hiring) could be seen as the Wolves trying to exert influence in the organization,” Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal wrote last week.

“It’s a wolf driving the bus,” source Mike Giardy said.All signs point to Wolf being the best decision maker in the New England front office, but it’s important to remember that nothing is certain.According to multiple reports, the Patriots could still add an experienced executive in a consulting position. And Matt Groh, New England’s director of player personnel, still has a key role and could wield more power.