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CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the Philadelphia Eagles are set to hire former Bill Belichick assistant Mike Pellegrino to their coaching staff.
Bill Belichick is likely done coaching in the NFL. But his impact on the league is likely to remain for generations. The Philadelphia Eagles will take advantage of that legacy in a small way during the 2026 NFL season.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported Friday the Eagles are adding former Belichick and Buffalo Bills assistant Mike Pellegrino.
“The Eagles are set to hire Bills nickels coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach, sources tell CBS Sports,” wrote Zenitz on X.
“Before Buffalo, the 32-year-old Pellegrino worked for the Patriots for 10 seasons, including the final six as cornerbacks coach.”
The #Eagles are set to hire #Bills nickels coach Mike Pellegrino as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Before Buffalo, the 32-year old Pellegrino worked for the Patriots for 10 seasons, including the final six as cornerbacks coach.
In his 10 years with the New England Patriots, Pellegrino worked under Belichick for six campaigns. First, Pellegrino was a coaching assistant with the Patriots from 2015-18. He then served as cornerbacks coach from 2019-24 under both Belichick and former head coach Jerod Mayo.
In 2025, Pellegrino coached nickel cornerbacks with Sean McDermott and the Bills.
Eagles Hiring Bill Belichick Coaching Descendant
Pellegrino has quite a bit of NFL experience for a 32-year-old coach who didn’t play football beyond high school. During his college athletic career at Johns-Hopkins University, Pellegrino starred in lacrosse.
But Belichick made a habit of finding assistants in unusual places during his two decades in New England. That’s how Pellegrino landed with the Patriots.
McDermott is a strong defensive mind in today’s NFL as well. In 2026, Pellegrino will have the opportunity to continue his coaching development under Eagles DC Vic Fangio.
“If Belichick likes you, that is a pretty good sign. He’s one of the best defensive minds in NFL history and has a track record of developing top-notch defensive assistants,” wrote NJ.com’s Cayden Steele.
“In 2025, Buffalo had the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL — another sign that Pellegrino may be a good coach.
“Now, Pellegrino will join Philadelphia’s defensive staff, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, one of the league’s best defensive coaches in NFL history alongside Belichick.”
Pellegrino won two Super Bowls as a Patriots assistant during the 2016 and 2018 campaigns. He remained in New England for a year after Belichick’s departure.
With Pellegrino on staff, the Bills defense finished seventh in yards allowed and 12th in points yielded last season. Buffalo was also ranked first in pass defense.
What Position Will Mike Pellegrino Fill With Eagles?
Zenitz reported Pellegrino will head to Philadelphia as defensive backs coach. Steele, though, was a little less certain.
“It’s unclear what Pellegrino’s exact role will be, as safeties coach Joe Kasper was reportedly promoted to pass-game coordinator and defensive backs coach,” Steele wrote. “Perhaps Pellegrino will be the Eagles’ new nickels or cornerbacks coach.”
More than likely, Kasper and Pellegrino will share the defensive backs coaching duties in some way. Given his role in Buffalo, Pellegrino could again coach nickel cornerbacks.
Or, Kasper could oversee the entire position group while Pellegrino may focus on cornerbacks.
The Eagles finished fifth in points allowed and 13th in yards yielded in the NFL last season. They were also eighth in passing yards allowed while yielding the least amount of passing touchdowns in the league.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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