SHOCKING: Patriots Manager set to leave.

New Patriots LB gives scouting report on ‘real strategic’ Eliot Wolf.

Linebacker Sione Takitaki has only been a Patriot for a few weeks, but he’s already awfully familiar with de facto general manager Eliot Wolf.

Takitaki was Cleveland’s third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and though Wolf was serving as the assistant general manager at the time — John Dorsey was running the show — the linebacker made it clear how prominent his role was.

“Eliot brought me to Cleveland,” Takitaki said at Gillette Stadium on Thursday afternoon. “So when I got the call (from the Patriots this spring), I was like, ‘Let’s do it man.’ He’s familiar with me. I’m familiar with him… I just want to go out there and prove these guys right from bringing me in and giving me a chance.”

Following Bill Belichick’s departure, Wolf has ascended to the top of the personnel pyramid in New England. He’ll have final say on No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft and was instrumental in assembling Jerod Mayo’s new coaching staff.

So what should Patriots fans know about Wolf?

“He just knows football really well,” Takitaki said. “Obviously in that position you have to. He’s done it from the ground up. Had his position and he’s worked up. Really smart guy. Knows what he’s doing. Real strategic. So those are just some of the things. When you’re in that position, you’ve really gotta know your stuff.”

Asked what makes Wolf “real strategic,” the linebacker pointed to the pragmatic way he’s assembled this Patriots team with homegrown re-signings at the top of the to-do list thus far.

“Just the way he’s building up the roster,” Takitaki said. “I know you guys (in the media) have been watching and you guys want splashes, but I feel like taking care of his guys in the building first (is strategic).”