Mandatory Credit: © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports \ © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports \ © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
GREEN BAY — Green Bay’s quarterback formula is what NFL teams dream of: going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, to Jordan Love. The Packers have perfected patience and development. While the Packers faithful celebrate their success, the rest of the NFL has taken a more spiteful stance.
Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf called the Packers’ quarterback chain “luck” when asked how Green Bay has continually been getting it right.
Wolf, 41, served as an executive in Green Bay from 2004-2017, mainly within the personnel department before leaving to become the assistant general manager with the Cleveland Browns. He came to New England in 2020, and is now their scouting director.
New England hasn’t much success since the end of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era – and Wolf is now hoping to bringing some of the Packers quarterback magic to New England. He’s keen on implementing Green Bay’s drafting philosophies as the Patriots transition into a new era.
“We changed the grading system,” he said. “It’s a little bit more similar to what we did in Green Bay. The previous Patriots system was more ‘this is what the role is’ and this is kind of value-based. So, it makes it a lot easier for scouts to rate guys and put them in a stack of ‘this guy is the best,’ ‘this guy is the worst’ and everything in between falls into place. Rather than more nuanced approaches. I just think it accounts value better and it makes it easier for the scouts.”
Following a stellar rookie season, former first-round pick Mac Jones noticeable regressed. His backup Bailey Zappe, who has shown some flashes, is also not the solution to New England’s quarterback famine.
“Like any position, we’re going to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses to determine who fits for us,” Wolf said Tuesday. “We’re pretty early in the process here. I haven’t met any of these guys, Jerod hasn’t met any of these guys. So going through the process here will determine what’s best for the team. One thing about the quarterbacks in this draft specifically that I’m excited about is that they all look like they’re really tough guys, which is great at any position, but the quarterback position especially.”
Playing under center successfully in the NFL is not easy by any means–let alone Foxborough–Brady changed the perception in Massachusetts with his six Super Bowl rings. Wolf wants a specific type of quarterback for a specific type of team.
“We have to determine who can handle being the quarterback of the New England Patriots.”
The Patriots hold the third overall pick in this coming draft. With names such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden McDaniels, and JJ McCarthy available, New England will more than likely be able to find their guy who can handle the pressure of being the leader in New England.
