Bill Belichick’s sons Steve and Brian ‘have a chance of staying’ on Patriots despite their father’s exit last week, with Jerod Mayo set to be named as new head coach on Wednesday

The New England Patriots have offered to retain defensive assistants Steve Belichick and Brian Belichick as part of its new coaching staff, according to Sports Illustrated.

The report comes in the aftermath of the Patriots parting ways with their father, Bill Belichick, just last week. Assistant Jerod Mayo is expected to be confirmed as his head successor by owner Robert Kraft on Wednesday. 

Steve Belichick has been with the Pats since 2012 and just completed his fifth season as the primary defensive play-caller. 

Brian Belichick joined New England in 2016 and has coached safeties for the last four seasons. He initially joined the franchise as a scouting assistant.

It’s unclear if either or both will stick with the Patriots.

Incoming Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo will ponder over Brian and Steve Belichick’s futures

Bill Belichick is looking for a new head coaching job at 71, with the Chargers and Falcons keen

Mayo and Steve are believe to be be close, as players often noted how much time they spend together. The two first struck a bond when Mayo was still a player on the Patriots and sidelined on injured reserve. 

‘I spent a lot of time with Steve in the dungeon, and we would go in there and break down film and talk ball,’ Mayo said in mid-December, according to ESPN. 

‘Hearing it from him, from a coach’s perspective — one of the greatest head coaches’ sons; and then I brought the on-the-field-perspective.

‘Even back then, 2013, 2014, we just had a connection. We kind of spoke the same language. With that being said, when we game-planned [as coaches] and talked to the players and things like that, it was very natural. I love coaching with Steve.’

Bill Belichick, 71, has indicated he would like to continue coaching. He’s been linked with head coaching vacancies on the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and to the surprise of many, the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Patriots are expected to name assistant Jerod Mayo as the team’s new head coach on Wed.

The Falcons fired Arthur Smith shortly after completing their third consecutive 7-10 season last week. They also have significant quarterback questions after Desmond Ridder twice failed to secure his spot as the Falcons’ signal-caller of the future. 

The Chargers boast exactly what the Falcons lack — a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. However, they’re also coming off a last-place finish in a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Is Los Angeles a desirable location for Belichick? In addition to playing second fiddle in their own stadium, the Chargers have significant salary cap issues to tackle this offseason.

Washington is another intriguing possibility as it would allow Belichick to remain on the East Coast. A big question could be what Belichick sees in second-year quarterback Sam Howell and a defense that traded two of its best players midseason.