Patriots search for new top football executive amid Bill Belichick's departure

The New England Patriots are on the hunt for their next top football executive, a role commonly referred to as a general manager in the NFL.

As per CBS, with the departure of long-time head coach Bill Belichick earlier this year, the Patriots find themselves in need of a leader to oversee football operations.

For years, Bill Belichick not only served as head coach but what is known technically at the NFL league office as the primary football executive.

Following his departure in January after 24 years as head coach, the Patriots had a vacant primary football executive, as that title did not transfer over to new head coach Jerod Mayo.

However, sources reveal to CBS Sports that the Patriots are actively pursuing candidates for this crucial role, which is expected to hold significant authority within the organization.

Eliot Wolf, the Patriots' director of scouting, emerges as a potential candidate for the role of top football executive.

He is considered a candidate for this role, and his work over the past four months will be key in his evaluation.

However, team owner Robert Kraft faces constraints in appointing Wolf outright, as league rules require the Patriots to adhere to the Rooney Rule.

This rule mandates the interviewing of at least two external minority candidates for top executive positions.

Kraft said, "We have a lot of people internally who have had a chance to train and learn under the greatest coach of all-time and a man whose football intellect is very special."

He further added, "In the short-term, we're looking for collaboration. Our team has a tremendous opportunity to position itself right, given our salary cap space, and we've never drafted, in my 30 years of ownership, we've never been drafting as [high] as we're drafting."

Meanwhile, there was plenty of doubt around the league that a search would even take place this offseason.