NFL · 9 months ago

Top 10 Candidates for New England Patriots Head Coaching Job

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

10. Wes Phillips
Current Odds: +3500

Current Position: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator

No Head Coaching Experience

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell gets a lot of the credit for the emergence of Sam Darnold this season. Still, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips has seen his name rise as a potential candidate for head coaching jobs this offseason. Phillips is the son of longtime NFL figure Wade Phillips, and he was a tight end coach under Sean McVay. It’s a long shot, but you can bet that Phillips will at least get some consideration and could get an interview with the Patriots.

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1. Mike Vrabel
Current Odds: +200

Current Position: Cleveland Browns Consultant

Current NFL Head Coaching Record: 56-48

Former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel will be a top candidate for the New England Patriots. Vrabel, a former great Patriots linebacker, spent the past season as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns after spending six seasons with the Titans. Under his control, the Titans won the AFC South two times and made the playoffs three times before tailing off in the final two seasons. Vrabel still has not been able to coach a team with an outstanding quarterback, so New England might be concerned about how he would handle the development of the new face of the franchise, Drake Maye. Vrabel is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Patriots on Thursday.

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2. Brian Flores
Current Odds: +400

Current Position: Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator

NFL Head Coaching Record: 24-25

Brian Flores was a head coach for the Dolphins, and his tenure ended in controversy as Miami’s ownership was tampering with Sean Payton. He was just under .500 as a head coach and has spent the past two seasons improving the Minnesota Vikings defense into one of the NFL’s best defenses. The question for New England will be whether or not another head coach from a defensive background is the direction they want to go. If they believe in Flores' vision for the development of Drake Maye and his plan for his offensive staff, Flores could get a shot.

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3. Ben Johnson
Current Odds: +600

Current Position: Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator

No Head Coach Experience

Ben Johnson is the top name on the board for many organizations. The 38-year-old offensive whiz has decided against taking any head coaching role during the past couple of cycles, but if he is ready to make a move after helping Detroit earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, Johnson will be the hottest name on the market. Johnson has shown creativity and panache for manufacturing ways to get weapons open and could be a great guide to steer Drake Maye in his development.

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4. Kliff Kingsbury
Current Odds: +800

Current Position: Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator

NFL Head Coaching Record: 28-38-1

The most important thing for the Patriots is the development of quarterback Drake Maye. It would make sense to turn to Kliff Kingsbury to mentor and nurture the young face of the franchise. Kingsbury spent this past season as the offensive coordinator for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn’s decision to place Kingsbury in charge of the offense has been a smashing success as the Commanders made the playoffs, and Daniels was one of the most productive rookie quarterbacks ever. Kingsbury helped coach Caleb Williams at USC, which makes him attractive to the Chicago Bears, but his prowess with developing young offenses could apply to the Patriots.
5. Aaron Glenn
Current Odds: +1200

Current Position: Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator

No Head Coaching Experience

The other Lions coordinator, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, was a star player for the New York Jets, and he will be a top name for them. If he does not land in New York, Glenn could be considered by the Patriots. His defense was shaky at times due to a crushing number of injuries, but they also showed growth late in the season and entered the playoff as a top-ten unit. The Patriots may shy away from hiring another defensive coach, but Glenn worked with Sean Payton and could bring some offensive staff from Detroit to guide Drake Maye's development.

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6. Liam Coen
Current Odds: +1600

Current Position: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator

No Head Coaching Experience

The Patriots need an infusion of offensive creativity and a coach capable of steering the development of future star Drake Maye. Ben Johnson is one offensive coordinator option to promote, but he’s not the only one drawing the attention of NFL teams. Tampa Bay’s Liam Coen is 39 years old, and he comes from the coveted Sean McVay coaching tree. The Bucs are a top-five unit in total yards and points scored in his one season leading the offense, and Baker Mayfield’s continued ascendance is a credit to Coen’s coaching.

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7. Todd Monken
Current Odds: +2000

Current Position: Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator

No NFL Head Coaching Experience

Todd Monken has never been an NFL head coach, but he has a lengthy background as a terrific offensive coordinator, which has continued during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson’s prodigious talent certainly helps the Ravens, but Monken has taken their attack to new levels. Monken is an older candidate, but his track record of offensive success will make him an attractive option.

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8. Joe Brady
Current Odds: +2000

Current Position: Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator

No Head Coaching Experience

Joe Brady had a remarkable stint with LSU, helping Joe Burrow win a national title. He then moved to Buffalo and has been instrumental in elevating quarterback Josh Allen. Despite not having a ton of weapons around Allen, the Bills were one of the league’s best offenses, and Brady is a dark horse candidate due to his proven ability to produce with talented quarterbacks. Still, it is expected Brady will interview, but he is not quite ready for a head coaching position.

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9. Byron Leftwich
Current Odds: +2500

Current Position: Not Employed

No Head Coaching Experience

Byron Leftwich was available, and the Patriots reportedly interviewed the free-agent candidate on January 7. The former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the offense quarterbacked by Tom Brady when the Bucs won the Super Bowl in the 2020 season. He has not been coaching in the NFL since the 2022 season after he was fired by Tampa Bay. It would be a major surprise if he were the pick.

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10. Wes Phillips
Current Odds: +3500

Current Position: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Coordinator

No Head Coaching Experience

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell gets a lot of the credit for the emergence of Sam Darnold this season. Still, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips has seen his name rise as a potential candidate for head coaching jobs this offseason. Phillips is the son of longtime NFL figure Wade Phillips, and he was a tight end coach under Sean McVay. It’s a long shot, but you can bet that Phillips will at least get some consideration and could get an interview with the Patriots.

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1. Mike Vrabel
Current Odds: +200

Current Position: Cleveland Browns Consultant

Current NFL Head Coaching Record: 56-48

Former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel will be a top candidate for the New England Patriots. Vrabel, a former great Patriots linebacker, spent the past season as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns after spending six seasons with the Titans. Under his control, the Titans won the AFC South two times and made the playoffs three times before tailing off in the final two seasons. Vrabel still has not been able to coach a team with an outstanding quarterback, so New England might be concerned about how he would handle the development of the new face of the franchise, Drake Maye. Vrabel is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Patriots on Thursday.

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Top 10 Candidates for New England Patriots Head Coaching Job

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