Bill Belichick’s reputation has taken a hit during a 4-11 season, but the New England Patriots’ head coach still knows how to use defensive players in creative ways. Belichick is giving an “increased role” to breakout star Mack Wilson.

The inside linebacker has become a factor as an edge-rusher in recent weeks. Belichick explained the switch as a way of “Trying to get our best players on the field,” per Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS.

Kyles noted how “Wilson has at least one sack and two pressures in each of his past three games, working both off the edge and as a looper inside.”

The numbers prove Belichick’s creative scheming for Wilson is working. It’s also just another reason why one of the hidden gems on the Patriots’ defense is enjoying a banner campaign.

Mack Wilson’s a Roving Playmaker for Bill Belichick

Wilson is making plays at every level, but he’s having his biggest impact rushing the passer. Blitzing 24 times has yielded a career-high three sacks, eight pressures and five hurries, per Pro Football Reference. He’d recorded just 2.5 quarterback takedowns during his previous four seasons in the NFL.

The numbers are solid, but Wilson’s emergence as a versatile pass-rusher is also helping Belichick mix and match pressure and coverage in increasingly fiendish ways. One of the combinations worked during the 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve.

Clever design helped the Patriots “show a zero-pressure and drop into Cover 2 man,” according to NFL Network’s Kendell Hollowell. The sudden switch in coverage helped Belichick’s roving playmaker get to Russell Wilson and force a fumble.

Plays like this are why the Patriots have remained stout defensively during a difficult campaign. Wilson’s emergence is proof of the unit’s strength.

It’s a credit not only to Belichick, but also to an assistant tipped to replace him.

Potential Bill Belichick Replacement Played Key Role in Mack Wilson’s Emergence

If Belichick is gone after this season, inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is a “logical candidate” to replace him. Mayo played middle linebacker for Belichick for eight years and has developed a reputation as a studious coach since hanging up his cleats once the 2015 season was in the books.

Wilson’s rapid rise is ample evidence of Mayo’s influence. Particularly since the latter admitted he and fellow assistant Steve Belichick changed Wilson’s role after “we let him down at times” last season, per Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Being asked to play to his strengths has transformed Wilson’s career. Mayo and Belichick’s words also found favor with the former fifth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Wilson has earned status as a free agent the Patriots should make it a priority to re-sign him in 2024. Along with right tackle Mike Onwenu, another pending free agent who wants to return, Wilson can be a core part of the Patriots’ inevitable rebuild after this season.

That rebuild may take place without Belichick and his staff. Yet, Wilson’s breakout performances have shown Belichick and his coaches can still work magic and turn unheralded players into productive starters.