In addition to safeties coach Brian Belichick’s departure, Mike Pellegrino will also not be returning to the New England Patriots, as first reported Tuesday by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Pellegrino, 31, spent the past six seasons as the organization’s cornerbacks coach.

Under Covington and Jerod Mayo, the Patriots defense regressed mightily in 2024. They finished 22nd in both total defense and scoring defense, and the scoring defense mark was New England’s worst since 1995. Bill Belichick’s teams never finished lower than 17th.

Will Josh McDaniels, Wes Welker and Bryan Cox return? Here's a look at who might be Vrabel's assistant coaches.