We may finally have the answer regarding Matt Patricia’s job status, which has been speculated about a lot recently, and it appears the former defensive coordinator will be moving west to an NFC team.,
Because any news involving the Patriots this offseason hasn’t gone without some drama, the initial tweet about Patricia’s future didn’t come without it.
ESPN’s Tim McManus tweeted that the Eagles’ team site had Patricia listed as their senior defensive assistant, but just minutes later had the information removed.
The blurb on Patricia has since been deleted.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) April 20, 2023
The news caused quite a stir amongst New England fans and media, as most have wanted him gone from the Patriots’ staff. Although he would not be returning to coaching the offensive side of the team, the struggles he endured, which impacted the offense as a whole, left many hoping to see him gone, seemingly forgetting how impressive he is working with a defense.
He did coach three Super Bowl-winning defenses, you know.
Not long later, Field Yates reported that Patricia is, in fact, joining the Eagles for next season, hearing the news from head coach Nick Sirianni himself. It had been speculated earlier this year that he would be accepting a role elsewhere, with the Eagles rumored as one of the teams interested, but now the news is official.
While it’s not official yet, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says things are “trending in the direction” of the team hiring Matt Patricia to his staff.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 20, 2023
Our favorite Patriots reporter, ESPN’s Mike Reiss, provided a more detailed quote from Sirianni regarding Patricia’s expected hiring.
"It's trending in that direction ... Obviously his resume speaks for itself. He gives you a great mind in there that's done it at the highest level; gives me another former head coach I can bounce ideas off."
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 20, 2023
- Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, on the expected hiring of Matt Patricia https://t.co/wjMxH9frEP
Despite the move being expected since his contract with the Lions expired earlier this year, Patricia moving on comes with an unusual consensus.
The 2022 season will not be remembered fondly, much in part due to his responsibility in the disaster of the offense. But at the same time, we must not forget a few things when discussing his tenure with the Patriots.
The main takeaway? Patricia was an excellent defensive coordinator during his time in New England. That’s an irrefutable fact. So don’t let the memories of last season rewrite history that much.
The other part worth mentioning – although he was the one calling the offensive plays and coaching the offensive line, Patricia is not the lone perpetrator for why last season was a complete mess. Bill Belichick is just as, if not more, responsible for the decisions and outcome of the season.
Eagles fans may be weary of what they’re getting with Patricia, but if he can get back to coaching defenses the way he did during a long stretch of his career, they should be in good hands.
And now it is official: Eagles have hired former Patriots’ assistant coach Matt Patricia as their new senior defensive assistant, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2023