Chip Kelly's possible path to the New England Patriots may have grown a little wider.

Kelly has been linked to the Super Bowl champions in recent weeks, and that connection could turn into a position with the Patriots going into the 2017 season.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has an opening on his staff after tight ends coach Brian Daboll accepted the offensive coordinator position with the University of Alabama last week. While it's unlikely Belichick would hire a former NFL head coach to replace Daboll as the tight ends coach, Daboll's departure does give Belichick room to make changes.

Belichick could shift his current assistants around to open a position that would be a more natural fit for Kelly. According to espn.com, Belichick could move "assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski to tight ends," creating an opening for Kelly to better utilize his expertise.

Bringing Kelly in as quarterbacks coach would also create a natural succession in case offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels accepts a head coaching position following the 2017 season. McDaniels was one of the hottest candidates for a head coach position after the past season but opted to remain with the Patriots. McDaniels will likely be a desired candidate again.

While Kelly and Belichick are close friends and respect each other as coaches, Kelly joining the Patriots is a long way from a done deal.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold