There are multiple common denominators involving the candidates whom the Patriots are reportedly interviewing for their offensive coordinator position. All three — Keenan McCardell, Adrian Klemm and Shawn Jefferson — have played for Bill Belichick.
And two of them, McCardell and Jefferson, are ex-wideouts and currently receiver coaches. Jefferson is with the Cardinals, and McCardell is with Minnesota. That means they’ve spent the last couple of seasons coaching Justin Jefferson and DeAndre Hopkins, respectively.
The Patriots’ interest in McCardell and Shawn Jefferson signals a stark shift from their usual philosophy. For years, they’ve struggled to develop receivers, with N’Keal Harry standing out as their latest, and perhaps most embarrassing, early round bust.
McCardell and Jefferson are each accomplished coaches. After playing 16 seasons in the NFL, McCardell has spent the last decade coaching wideouts. He’s been receivers coach for the Jaguars (2017-20), University of Maryland (2014-15) and Commanders (2010-11).
Jefferson, meanwhile, played 13 seasons in the NFL and got his coaching start with the Lions. He moved on to coach receivers in Tennessee (2013-15) and Miami (2016-18) before becoming the Jets’ assistant head coach/receivers coach in 2019-20.
It’s obvious the Patriots need to shift the way in which they develop wideouts. Belichick hasn’t drafted a good receiver since Deion Branch … back in 2002. Since then, the Patriots have been burned by one flop after another: Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson, Brandon Tate, Aaron Dobson, Taylor Price, Harry.
The Patriots changed their drafting philosophy last year with Tyquan Thornton, the fastest player drafted by New England in the Belichick era.
But the Baylor product had an uneven rookie season. He caught 22 passes for 247 yards in 13 games, and caught only more than two passes once over their final six games.
When looking at Belichick’s weak points, there isn’t a bigger hole than receiver.
It seems like the Patriots are intent on addressing it.
