The New England Patriots have officially announced that Elliott Wolf will host the show from Foxboro, Massachusetts. Wolff, whose title of director of scouting has not changed, was the subject of a report Wednesday that “seems to be in charge” of the Patriots’ personnel department. That was evident to anyone paying attention as several of his former teammates were hired to help fill out the front office and coaching staff.
But the question remains who will be Wolff’s right-hand man.During Bill Belichick’s de facto tenure as Patriots GM, there was always someone in charge of personnel. Scott Pioli, Nick Caserio and Matt Groh didn’t have the final say, but they served as Belichick’s sounding board and worked with him on the draft, free agency and trade decisions.
Groh was expected to remain in the role when Wolff was promoted, but the recent appointment of Alonzo Highsmith looks set to leave him. Wolf and Highsmith, who worked with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns, were “inseparable” with both teams, according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal.
Highsmith, who spent the last few seasons at the University of Miami, has nearly 30 seasons of NFL experience as a player, scout and executive. what do you think? Please leave a comment.
Giardy said Groh “just left” when Belichick was offered the head coaching job, lending credence to the idea that his role is diminished now that Wolff is in charge. It remains to be seen how director of college scouting Kamren Williams, scout Patrick Stewart and manager Bobby Brown will fit together, but Giardy expects plenty of collaboration.
If the Patriots’ moves at this point in the offseason are any indication, Wolff and Highsmith will play a big role in making that final decision.
