‘Old School-Minded’ Cowboys Coach a Possible Replacement for Patriots’ Bill Belichick

Opting for an offensive-minded head coach might seem like the logical choice for the New England Patriots to replace Bill Belichick, but historical patterns suggest otherwise. Owner Robert Kraft has consistently favored hiring head coaches with a defensive background, indicating a potential inclination towards selecting Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn.

Quinn is described as an effective, old-school defensive coach by Jordy McElroy of USA Today’s Patriots Wire. Despite his mixed track record, Quinn has a substantial history with the Patriots, experiencing both a defeat and a victory against them in Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI, respectively.

Despite setbacks, Quinn has been successful in rebuilding his reputation in Dallas, where he currently oversees one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL. While some argue that Kraft’s next head coach should specialize in offensive strategy, Quinn’s defensive expertise could elevate the Patriots’ already solid defensive unit to become the best in the league, especially if paired with a proficient offensive coordinator.

Dan Quinn Can Build on Belichick Strength

There haven’t been many positive aspects to the Patriots’ performance this season, but one area where they excel is their run defense, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Despite having a 3-11 record, the Patriots maintain the top spot in the NFL for the average yards per rush allowed, standing at 3.14. In their recent game against the Chiefs, they limited their opponents to just 43 rushing yards on 22 carries, with an average of 2.2 yards per carry.

0097 gets a nice TFL. Slant with a low inside shoulder enables him to slither around the LG and make the TFL. One of 0097's best games defending the run. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/QLJ1QykozG

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 17, 2023

However, the New England defense is lacking in a dynamic and aggressive pass rush. This is an area where Quinn, known for his expertise in creating pressure, could make a significant impact. In Dallas, Quinn effectively utilized talented players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Osa Odighizuwa by deploying them in innovative ways. This strategic approach was instrumental in defeating the Patriots legend Tom Brady in last season’s playoffs, where Brady struggled against a diverse range of pressures. John Owning of Pro Football Focus even dissected one of the most effective rush schemes from that game.

Dan Quinn’s defense.

Attack protection schemes with alignment/stunts. Micah Parsons here. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/QxjS1MImKl

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) September 19, 2023

Diversifying the approach to rushing has played a crucial role in elevating the versatile All-Pro, Micah Parsons, to stardom. Since entering the professional league in 2021, Parsons has amassed an impressive 40 sacks, including 13 in the current season.

Quinn employs a range of “alignment/stunts,” according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, to unleash Parsons on opposing offenses. Applying a similar strategy to utilize the skills of seasoned edge-rusher Matthew Judon could potentially revolutionize the Patriots’ pass rush. Additionally, maintaining the strength of Quinn’s defense against the run would involve leveraging the abilities of players like outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings and safety Jabrill Peppers.

While there are compelling reasons to consider Quinn for the Patriots, implementing a complete shift from Belichick’s coaching philosophy requires a coach with a different mindset. It’s a departure from the type of coach Robert Kraft has traditionally hired, but Julian Edelman expresses hope that this change might be something Kraft is willing to embrace.

Julian Edelman Calls for Different Type of Coaching Hire

Robert Kraft inherited Bill Parcells, a coach renowned for his defensive expertise, upon taking control of the franchise in 1994. Since then, Kraft has consistently favored defensive-minded head coaches.

In 1997, Pete Carroll, following a successful tenure as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, succeeded Parcells. Subsequently, Bill Belichick, who had served as Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and New York Jets, seized the opportunity to take over from Carroll in 2000.

Julian Edelman, a key contributor to three Super Bowl victories as a prolific wide receiver under Belichick, believes it’s time for a shift towards a head coach with an offensive focus. Speaking on the “Pardon My Take” podcast for Barstool Sports, Edelman expressed his preference for an offensive-minded coach, aligning with the evolving trends in the league.

While there are intriguing offensive coordinator candidates in the NFL, such as Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions, Kraft’s historical inclination toward defensive-minded coaches, like Quinn, suggests that if Belichick were to vacate his position in 2024, such a candidate would likely be strongly considered as a replacement.