Patriots expected to replace longtime staff member through internal promotion

As the New England Patriots continue rounding out their 2024 coaching staff, over the weekend it was reported one long-time member of the staff likely won't be returning. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera "is not expected to return" to the team.

Cabrera, 45, just concluded his eighth season as the Patriots' strength and conditioning coach. Prior to that, he was an assistant S&T coach for another five seasons, having joined the team in 2011.

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According to Reiss, Cabrera's replacement could already be in the building. "It won't be a surprise if [Jerod] Mayo's brother, Deron, is elevated to a leading coaching role after serving as a strength and conditioning assistant the past six seasons," Reiss noted on Sunday.

Deron Mayo, 35, joined the Patriots as an assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2018,a year before his brother was hired as an inside linebackers coach. Deron has been the assistant strength and conditioning coach his entire tenure in New England. Prior to joining the Patriots he played in the CFL for six years, retiring in 2017.

The Patriots are expected to announce their full coaching staff at some point this week. To this point the only positional coaching roles not filled are wide receivers and tight ends coach.

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On Thursday, New England Patriots fans heard from Alex Van Pelt for the first time since he was hired as the team's new offensive coordinator earlier this month. The team released a one-minute clip of Van Pelt talking about some of his key philosophies as an offensive coordinator.

Van Pelt's background is entirely outside the Patriots' traditional coaching tree, having spent most of his time in Green Bay and Cleveland. Given that, these kinds of behind-the-scenes looks are educational and valuable as we go about projecting the Patriots' upcoming offseason and what the offense will look like in 2024.

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In the video, which is mostly clips of what looks like a longer, sit-down interview, Van Pelt hits on four main topics - teamwork/chemistry, scheme, running the ball, and quarterbacks.

What can we take away from this short Van Pelt clip? Here's what he had to say about all four of those topics...

Van Pelt:"As long as this group will always understand that we'll play for each other first and foremost - the most important guy in the field is to your left and to your right. If we can get that going, we're going to do some good things...Teams that are close and that are connected - connected is a big word that I'll use - the connectivity - those teams always play better. Getting to know these guys, getting to love these guys as players and people I think will make us all better in the long run."

This one doesn't come as much of a surprise. Much of the initial reporting about Van Pelt was what he brings as a leader, tone setter, and culture-builder. Right from the jump, he's highlighting that element of his approach.

Van Pelt: "I think a good coordinator does what's best for his players. I think a lot of guys will have [a] scheme that they understand and they have familiarity with as coordinators. But if it doesn't fit the player, then how good is the scheme really? So, a good coordinator will often take the strengths of the players that he has, play to their strengths, while at the same time being able to protect them from their weaknesses."

Now this quote may come as the highlight to many Patriots fans. Over the past few years amid the team's offensive struggles, one of the main talking points has been the inability to get the most out of players in the context of the offensive scheme. Based on this, it sounds like Van Pelt will be more flexible in his approach, tailoring roles for the players who will be filling them.

Van Pelt: "You know, I think running the football in this league wins games, wins championships. Being able to do that late into the season."

This one shouldn't come as much of a surprise. During Van Pelt's tenure in Cleveland the Browns had the second-most rushing attempts in the NFL (30.3 per game), behind only the Baltimore Ravens. He believes in running the ball, and uses that run to set up explosive plays off of play action. It would be surprising to see that core concept change in New England. This could be a busy (contract) year for Rhamondre Stevenson.

Van Pelt: "Quarterback play is a big part of what I believe in. Putting him in a position to be successful. And if you can make that guy be successful, oftentimes your offense is successful."

It's not exactly breaking news that a former NFL quarterback is going to prioritize the QB position. At the same time, this goes with Van Pelt's comments about scheme fitting players. Over the last two years it felt at times like the Patriots' were making things more difficult for their starting quarterback (this applies to both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe) than easier. Based on what Van Pelt says here, the 2024 starter - whoever that is - should have a softer landing spot.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.