Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel talks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the first quarter of last Sunday’s victory over the Bills. The Browns plan to speak with McDaniels.

The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson

The New England Patriots may not just look different on offense and defense next season. The personnel on the sidelines and in the front office may be in flux, as well, as other teams look to raid the Pats’ cupboard hoping to garner some of the success the franchise has had during this decade.

That may not be the only way changes are made, of course. Head coach Bill Belichick said on Monday that one of the benefits of New England not being in the playoffs is that he and his brain trust can do a more thorough evaluation of all things related to the team.

Belichick may take a hard look at the defense since the Patriots’ biggest issues seemed to be on that side of the ball this season, though that is also where the team was hardest hit when it came to injuries.

He may have to shuffle things on offense out of necessity.

But let’s start at the top. The man with whom Belichick has partnered on personnel decisions for the last nine years looks like he’ll be taking control of another team’s roster soon enough as Scott Pioli has already interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, and will also talk with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pioli met with Browns brass in New England on Wednesday, but the two sides parted without an agreement for Pioli to become the general manager in Cleveland. Conflicting reports — one from The Boston Herald and one from The Cleveland Plain Dealer — had the Browns either demanding an answer from Pioli by the end of the day yesterday or not putting a deadline on his decision.

According to The Herald’s sources, Cleveland owner Randy Lerner made a “huge” financial offer to Pioli, but that some of Pioli’s demands were impossible to meet — for any team.

The Browns are also looking for a new head coach, and have already interviewed former New England assistant and recently fired Jets head coach Eric Mangini. It is unknown whether Pioli and Mangini could work together after the Cameragate saga Mangini helped touch off last year.

But Cleveland has also been given permission to speak with Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, though it is unknown when the 32-year-old will be interviewed.

However, if Pioli does take the job in Cleveland, there are rumors that he would hire Kirk Ferentz as his head coach. Ferentz, currently the coach at Iowa, and Pioli became friends while working together on the “old” Browns under Belichick.

After leading the Hawkeyes to a win over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl yesterday, Ferentz didn’t do much to dispel the rumors that a jump to the NFL may be in his future.

“Scott’s a great friend of mine, and I think it’s a mutual thing. I think it’s presumptuous to think anybody knows what he’s doing right now, and he and I haven’t talked in three weeks. We’ve both been doing our jobs,” he said. “I’ve got a great job at Iowa; I’ve said that many, many times.The people are fantastic, and I just feel very, very fortunate.”

Pioli may stay right where he is. But the fact that he has interviewed with another team is a new development for the 44-year-old. In the past, he turned down the chance to talk with Seattle and the Giants about their GM openings.

If Pioli leaves New England, director of player personnel Nick Caserio may be in line for a promotion.

McDaniels also turned down the chance to interview with Atlanta last year, where former Patriots front-office exec Thomas Dimitroff had just taken over. McDaniels has been with New England since 2001, when he joined the club as a personnel and coaching assistant, then became offensive coordinator in 2006. Over the last two years, McDaniels’ star has risen as overseer of the most prolific offense the NFL has ever had, including his development of Matt Cassel (he is also quarterbacks coach).

Should the Patriots need a new offensive coordinator, it’s unclear whether they’ll elevate a member of the current staff. The most likely candidate would be receivers coach Bill O’Brien, but while O’Brien’s work ethic has been lauded, he has been with New England for just two seasons, having spent ’07 as a coaching assistant.

On defense, it is tough to predict what might happen. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ unit was constantly in flux due to injuries. When New England hired Dom Capers last year, it seemed a sign that Pees might be on his way out. But Capers’ title this season was secondary coach/special assistant, and the Pats’ biggest problems defensively were in the secondary.

However, Capers didn’t have the full complement of players at his disposal. During a late-season press conference, Pees said that when New England allowed a third-down conversion, it was usually a technique problem. The argument could be made that those issues fall to the position coach.

smanza@projo.com