Who will be Belichick's next top lieutenants?

The New England Patriots will look a little different next season.

After two consecutive trips to the Super Bowl and three in the last four seasons, the NFL's model franchise will undergo some retooling, particularly the coaching staff.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels officially agreed to take over as Indianapolis Colts head coach Tuesday, a day after defensive coordinator Matt Patricia left to run the Detroit Lions. For the first time since 2012, Bill Belichick has to replace a top lieutenant.

Here are the top three candidates to succeed McDaniels and Patricia, respectively.

Offensive coordinatorChad O'Shea

Part of the Patriot Way is to promote from within. That's how Belichick was brought up through the ranks under Bill Parcells, and that's how he's done things since he reached the top in Foxboro. Charlie Weis, Dean Pees, Bill O'Brien, McDaniels, and Patricia each became lead coordinators after running a position group with the franchise.

There is a dearth of obvious internal candidates for the offensive coordinator job, however, as McDaniels is expected to take assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski to Indianapolis with him. The top remaining contender is wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea.

Like those before him, O'Shea has put in his time with the Patriots. He's been a position coach under Belichick since 2009. The greatest indicator of things to come may have been when Belichick handed him play-calling duties in the team's preseason finale.

WR coach Chad O'Shea and LB coach Brian Flores are calling plays tonight.

- Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 31, 2017

George Godsey

As he did with McDaniels, Belichick could also opt to bring back someone who recently left the nest.

Godsey cut his teeth as an offensive assistant with the Patriots in 2011. He ran the tight ends room the following two seasons and then left for the Houston Texans. After beginning as a quarterbacks coach, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, and the Detroit Lions hired him as a defensive assistant in 2017.

Godsey could stay on Patricia's staff and take a promotion to quarterbacks coach, or make the ultimate career move and serve as Belichick's No. 2.

Brian Ferentz

Ferentz is currently working for his father as offensive coordinator at the University of Iowa, but he has experience with Belichick.

Ferentz joined Belichick's staff as a scouting assistant, graduated to offensive coaching assistant, and worked with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as tight ends coach before taking a job with Iowa in 2012.

Defensive coordinatorBrian Flores

New England's options on the defensive side of the ball are a little more clear, and linebackers coach Flores is the most likely candidate to take over for Patricia.

He's spent the past 10 seasons on Belichick's staff, and Patricia held Flores' current position before being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Flores interviewed for the head coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals, so he believes he's more than capable of running a defense.

Greg Schiano

Shortly after the Patriots' Super Bowl loss Sunday, rumors emerged that Belichick would target Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano for the vacancy in New England.

Schiano and Belichick are tight, but the former hasn't coached in the NFL since his flameout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.

Schiano was also offered the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee, but the school quickly pulled it off the table due to fan backlash. Belichick, however, cares little for outside opinion.

Belichick

Of course, after giving up 41 points and 538 yards to a team led by a backup quarterback in the Super Bowl, Belichick could determine that he's the person best suited to fix the Patriots' defense.

As head coach and de facto general manager, Belichick wears many hats, but he made his name as a defensive genius.

After five Super Bowl triumphs as a head coach, he may be above leading defensive meetings - but it may also be just the challenge he seeks.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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