Future is in good hands with Steve Belichick, Jerod Mayo

Another positive that can be taken from the 2019 season is the coaching staff.

Belichick’s son, Steve, and former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo took huge steps forward with the defense. They both served as defensive play callers and formed a relationship that will be beneficial going forward.

Steve and Mayo talked about their budding relationship earlier in the season.

“Steve and I, our relationship goes a long way back,” Mayo said, transcribed by NESN. “When I was hurt, we would spend hours watching film together, breaking down film, talking X’s and O’s. Steve loves the history of the game, as well, so he would always drop nuggets. He grew up around it. We have a very strong relationship, and we kind of play off each other. It’s been great.”

Steve agreed with Mayo’s sentiment.

“I think we’ve got a great working relationship,” Belichick said. “Me and everybody else on the defensive staff. We spend a lot of hours working together, going through gameplans, going through a bunch of different stuff. So, yeah, we get on the same page throughout the week and then hope it pays off on Sundays.”

The Patriots also are winning this offseason by retaining Josh McDaniels and Nick Caserio. Both McDaniels and Caserio missed out on opportunities with other teams and they’ve been a fundamental part of the organization over the past decade.

After an offseason of coaching turnover last year, the Patriots are in good shape heading into 2020.