Retired cornerback Darius Butler worked for the New England Patriots when the team both had a defensive coordinator (Dean Pees) and did not have a defensive coordinator. So Butler has unique insight into what New England does with its leadership when they roll without a coordinator.
It’s possible the Patriots go without an offensive or defensive coordinator for 2022 — which would be a fascinating development. (When was the last time an NFL team did that? Never?) But it seems the Patriots have their top leaders on both side of the ball. Inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and outside linebackers coach Steve Belichick are the strongest voices on defense.