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Former New England Patriots assistant Matt Patricia spoke with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton about the team’s vacant defensive coordinator position on Wednesday, according to NFL Networks Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
He joins former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills Coach Rex Ryan and former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as possible candidates for the job.
Patricia, who served as New England’s offensive line coach and play caller in 2022, was reported to be making his NFL choices last month after hiring Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator, per Fox’s Henry McKenna Sports.
Those options included leaving the Patriots for the defensive coordinator job, staying with the franchise in a new role or taking a break from coaching altogether.
It’s unclear if Patricia has made up his mind, although it seems certain he won’t be back in New England in any capacity next season, especially considering he seems to be eyeing the Denver DC position.
In addition, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported last month that he was hearing Patricia “may be on his way out.” Curran’s teammate, Phil Perry, said there was “a belief among many staff that he will not be with the team in 2023.”
While Patricia was terrible coaching an unseeded New England offense in 2022, it’s worth noting that he hasn’t coached offensive linemen since he was an assistant under Dante Scarnecchia in 2005 and has never called offensive plays.
And while Patricia failed miserably as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018-2020, going 13-29-1, he has a strong track record as an NFL defensive coordinator.
The 48-year-old was New England’s defensive coordinator from 2012-2017. The Patriots appeared in three Super Bowls, winning two, in that stretch.
The Broncos are searching for a new defensive coordinator after hiring Ejiro Evero for the same role with the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
Denver has one of the most desirable defensive coordinator vacancies this winter as they have some of the best players in the game guarding the team in Randy Gregory, Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby and Justin Simmons.
The Broncos defense ranked seventh in the NFL last season, allowing 320.0 yards per game – 210.2 rushing and 109.8 rushing. He also allowed 21.1 points per game, which was 14th in the league.
Besides the Broncos, the Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles have open defensive coordinator positions. It is not clear whether Patrick would be considered for any of those vacancies.
