The New England Patriots are preparing for life after defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. With the Pats enjoying the luxury of a first-round bye in the playoffs, Patricia has taken advantage of the free time by doing job interviews.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Patriots have accepted the reality that the 43-year-old will be leaving in the offseason to be Jim Caldwell's successor as the Detroit Lions’ head coach. Caldwell was fired by the Lions at the end of the regular season after a four-year partnership.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Patriots are bracing for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to leave, most likely to become the next coach of the Detroit Lions.
Regarded as brilliant in all matters, Patricia also is believed to be more than ready to take over a team of his own. He has, we’re told, a very good relationship with Lions GM Bob Quinn, who previously worked for the Patriots.
Patricia has been with the Patriots since 2004, serving numerous capacities. His introductory role in New England was as an offensive assistant before becoming an assistant offensive line coach and linebackers coach. In 2011 he was named as the Patriots’ safeties coach, A year later, the team would install him as its defensive coordinator.
In all the seasons that Patricia has served as New England’s DC so far, the Patriots have never ranked outside of the top 10 in scoring defense. That includes this season in which New England finished the regular season fifth in the NFL with just 18.5 points allowed per game.
Of course, Patricia will still have to wait until the season ends before signing with the Lions. Until then, the immediate top priority for Patricia is still to win another Super Bowl with the Patriots.
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