The New England Patriots’ struggles grooming young offensive coaches were on full display last season when Matt Patricia and Joe Judge were forced to run the offense following Josh McDaniels’ departure as offensive coordinator. But head coach Bill Belichick has continued to make smart hires on the defensive side of the ball.

One of those recent hires, defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, was a somewhat popular defensive coordinator candidate this offseason. Covington, who was hired away from Eastern Illinois by New England in 2017, interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals earlier this winter. He was ultimately passed up by Nick Rallis in Arizona and Derrick Ansley in Los Angles, but Cardinals new head coach Jonathan Gannon sees Covington departing New England sooner than later.

“I’ve known DeMarcus for a couple years now through some relationships in the business, and his interview was very impressive,” Gannon told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I learned a lot. And I actually told (Bill) Belichick after that: Coach Belichick knows how to coach the coaches, because this guy was on it. It was a really cool interview for me. (Covington)’s right there. He’ll be a defensive coordinator next year.”

Cardinals new general manager Monti Ossenfort, who spent years in New England’s front office, also had rave reviews for Covington.

“We had a chance to talk with DeMarcus. (He) was a very impressive interview,” Ossenfort said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I had known DeMarcus from my time in New England and I wasn’t surprised in the least in DeMarcus and the way he presented himself and his football knowledge. DeMarcus is a talented young coach and he has a bright future in this league.”

Covington is currently blocked for a major role in New England by linebackers coaches Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick, whom share defensive coordinator responsibilities with Bill Belichick. The Patriots’ defensive staff is rounded out by safeties coach Brian Belichick, cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino and defensive assistant V’Angelo Bentley. Two of the Patriots’ offensive coaches, wide receivers coach Ross Douglas and running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri, also come from a defensive background. New England hired Bill O’Brien to take over as offensive coordinator this offseason.

The Patriots’ offense struggled last season as New England missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record, but their defense ranked third in EPA per play against.

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