The New England Patriots will opt not to fill the vacancy at defensive coordinator left by Matt Patricia, who left to become the new Detroit Lions head coach. However, linebackers coach Brian Flores will ostensibly replace Patricia in leading the team’s defense and calling plays despite not having the defensive coordinator title, according to ESPN.

Flores, 37, has been with the Patriots his entire coaching career. He started out as a scouting assistant in 2004 and gradually worked his way up the ranks on the defensive side of the ball. He was promoted to his current role as linebackers coach in 2016.

As the ESPN report points out, the Patriots have precedent in terms of going without “coordinators.” Patricia himself was put in charge of the defense in the 2010-11 seasons after Dean Pees left, and was only handed the defensive coordinator title in 2012.

Bill O’Brien was also made the play-caller on offense in 2009-10 in the wake of Josh McDaniels’ departure to Denver before he was handed the title in 2011.

As the team’s main man on defense, Flores will now be tasked with turning around a Patriots defense which had its fair share of flaws last season. Despite giving up just 18.5 points, which was fifth in the league, they were 29th in yards allowed as they were unable to prevent teams from consistently moving the ball.

Those flaws were particularly glaring during the Super Bowl as their pass defense was unable to slow down the Philadelphia Eagles offense. The Patriots will likely be in the market for a new cornerback in the offseason with last year’s starter Malcolm Butler almost sure to leave following his Super Bowl benching.