Another notable name has entered the mix for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator position as Matt Patricia interviewed on Wednesday, a league source confirmed.
Patricia, the former Lions head coach, and Patriots defensive coordinator spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach in New England, most recently working with the offense. He joins Rex Ryan, Vance Joseph, Sean Desai and Kris Richard among the known candidates who have interviewed for the position.
In New England, Patricia was on staff for four Super Bowl teams, starting with his first year in the NFL as an offensive assistant in 2004. He coached the offensive line, linebackers, and safeties before running the New England defense from 2012-17. The Patriots’ defense ranked in the top 10 in points allowed every year of Patricia’s tenure, including a top-ranked unit in 2016.
Patricia, 48, landed the Lions’ head coaching position in 2018. He was 13-29-1 over three seasons before being fired after Week 12 of the 2020 season. The stout defenses he cultivated in New England didn’t follow him to Detroit, as Patricia’s units there were 16th, 26th and 32nd over three years.
With New England over the past couple of seasons, Patricia has been an assistant on the offensive side of the ball, including assistant head coach in 2021 and offensive line coach/senior advisor in 2022.
Sean Payton, the 20th head coach in Broncos’ history, continues to build his staff but has yet to decide on an offensive or defensive coordinator. Ben Kotwica was hired as special teams coordinator last week.
