You can add two more coaches to the list of potential Patriots offensive coordinators.
According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, New England has interviewed Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown for the vacant position.
Here's an updated list of candidates who have interviewed for job:
- Nick Caley (Rams)
- Zac Robinson (Rams)
- Dan Pitcher (Bengals, hired by Bengals)
- Shane Waldron (Seahawks, hired by Bears)
- Jerrod Johnson (Texans)
- Thomas Brown (Panthers)
It's too bad to have to frame it this way but, with Johnson and Brown being minority candidates, the Patriots are now Rooney Rule compliant for their search and can make a hire.
Johnson has been coaching in the NFL since 2017, having worked with the 49ers and the Colts in the Bill Walsh Diversity coaching fellowship program. From 2020-2021, he was an offensive quality control coach with the Colts and in 2022 was the Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach. He was hired to the Texans' staff in 2023 as quarterbacks coach under head coach DeMeco Ryans, working closely with likely Offensive Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud.
Thomas Brown, like Caley, Robinson, and Waldron, marks another branch of the Sean McVay coaching tree interviewing in New England. The 37-year-old worked on the Rams' offensive staff from 2020-2022 as running backs coach ('20, '21), assistant head coach ('21, '22), and tight ends coach ('22). Brown was hired to be the Panthers offensive coordinator this past offseason under head coach Frank Reich.
Whoever the Patriots hire will take the place of Bill O'Brien, who left to become Ohio State's offensive coordinator last week, and become New England's fourth OC in as many seasons.
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