NFL Insider Suggests Alex Van Pelt Could Leave Patriots For This Team

The Patriots already said goodbye to Jerod Mayo, and it wouldn’t be surprising if his top assistants in the 2024 season were shown the door as well.

Alex Van Pelt and DeMarcus Covington are likely bound for new endeavors next season. New England should look to replace Covington after its defense completely fell apart as the campaign unfolded. Van Pelt deserves a lot of credit for helping with Drake Maye’s development, but new head coach Mike Vrabel might have a more preferable offensive coordinator in mind.

Both Van Pelt and Covington find new NFL gigs if they cut ties with the Patriots, though, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer floated a possibility for the former in a column published Monday.

“I did have the thought that the Browns could land Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator (if it’s not tight ends coach Tommy Rees, who’s also of interest for the Patriots) and bring back Alex Van Pelt in another role,” Breer wrote.”Van Pelt is incredibly well-liked from his time in Cleveland, did a good job with really shaky talent in New England this fall and was a huge part of developing Patriots rookie Drake Maye.”

It’s easy to imagine Van Pelt’s interest in a potential reunion with the Browns. In addition to a familiarity with Cleveland, Van Pelt could be drawn to working with another supremely talented rookie quarterback. The Browns own the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, and they probably have their eyes on a signal-caller after Deshaun Watson injured his Achilles again.

But whether it’s a second stint with the Browns or a new challenge with another team, Van Pelt feels likely to move on from the Patriots in short order.