Prominent Patriots coach could still get hired away by Broncos
Denver head coach Sean Payton could still make additions to his defensive staff
Denver Broncos new head coach Sean Payton left open the possibility that Matt Patricia could still join his staff after the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator was passed over for the defensive coordinator position by Vance Joseph.
Patricia, who served as an offensive line coach, senior football advisor and offensive play-caller in 2022 for New England, is still listed on the Patriots’ coaching staff on the team’s website, though the page seems at least somewhat outdated since Bill O’Brien and Joe Judge are both listed as having quarterback coaching duties. Patricia, who was the Detroit Lions’ head coach from 2018 to 2020, didn’t join the Patriots’ staff at the Shrine Bowl this winter.
Patricia impressed Payton in his interview for the defensive coordinator position.
“He’s outstanding,” Payton said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I’ve known him for a long time. We practiced against the Patriots. I think he’s extremely talented. He’s a guy that, I think they’ve won five Super Bowls while he was calling defenses. So, that was easy. Like, I knew right away I wanted to interview Matt. I knew right away I wanted to interview Vance. I’ve known those guys. Rex (Ryan) made a lot of sense.”
Patricia was actually part of three of the Patriots’ Super Bowl championship teams. He was an offensive assistant in 2004 and defensive coordinator in 2014 and 2016. He was also part of three Patriots Super Bowl losing teams in 2007 as a linebackers coach, in 2011 as safeties coach/de-facto defensive coordinator and in 2017 as defensive coordinator.
Payton at least entertained the possibility that Patricia could still find a role on the Broncos’ defensive staff.
“I would say it’s a little early to answer that,” Payton said. “The question was: Do I still possibly envision a role for Matt? And we just got here. He and I are gonna talk this week. And I wouldn’t rule that out, though. … If that possibly came to fruition, it would be for a few things. I’d certainly want to talk to Vance and our defensive coaches. But I know Matt well enough to know how smart he is and what he can contribute. So, we’ll see.”
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport went so far as to say he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Patricia wound up in Denver.
“For me, it would make sense to bring him in, maybe as a senior defensive assistant,” Rapoport said on NFL Network. “Associate head coach, something in that role. Kind of over the top, taking a look at the defense from maybe a little further out than Vance Joseph does. That would make some sense. … I wouldn’t be surprised if Patricia ended up joining the Denver staff.”
Getting out of the Patriots umbrella (and far away from offense) would likely benefit Patricia in his ascent back up the NFL coaching hierarchy. It seems highly unlikely at this point that Patricia could be a head coach again, but it was positive that he received one interview for a defensive coordinator position.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
