Patriots co-offensive line coach Cole Popovich won’t be with the team for the 2021 season due to a decision related to the COVID-19 vaccine and the NFL’s protocols, The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride and ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Friday.
Carmen Bricillo, who shared offensive line duties with Popovich in 2020, will be the lone offensive line coach for the Patriots this season, according to McBride.
The NFL released a statement earlier in the summer requiring all Tier 1 staff, which includes coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers, and scouts, to get the vaccine in order to be on the field, in meeting rooms, or have any direct interactions with players.