Bill Belichick luckily held on to one of his top personnel guys.
Dave Ziegler, the assistant director of player personnel, is withdrawing from the Denver Broncos’ general manager search, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Ziegler was the top candidate to replace Nick Caserio, but he quickly was wrapped up in the interview process with Denver.
Caserio spent 20 seasons with the organization and the last eight were under the director of player personnel role. He was Belichick’s right-hand man in the personnel department and Ziegler was directly below him. Belichick couldn’t afford to lose that much institutional knowledge in an offseason that has much uncertainty.
Sources: #Patriots assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler is withdrawing his name from the #Broncos GM search to remain in New England. Bill Belichick and the organization has committed to Ziegler’s future, and Ziegler has committed to NE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2021
Ziegler is in position to take over the Patriots’ general manager rule, but per the Rooney Rule, there still will be an interviewing process.
Ziegler and Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a conversation this AM, which led to Ziegler's decision to withdraw from the Broncos GM search. Belichick couldn't promise Ziegler he'd replace Nick Caserio—the Rooney Rule mandates a process—but it's fair to say he's well-positioned. https://t.co/cZqs8ISByO
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2021
Starting with Cam Newton, the Patriots have many decisions to make to become a winning team next season.
.jpg?w=600)
