The Dallas Cowboys might have gotten the better of the New York Giants in recent years, so the last thing New York probably wanted to do was give their division rivals any additional advantages.
To that end, the Giants have denied the Cowboy's request for permission to speak with defensive line coach Andre Patterson for an undisclosed position on new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's staff.
Patterson, who was on Zimmer's Minnesota Vikings staff as their defensive line coach from 2014 to 2019 before gaining additional responsibilities as the Vikings co-defensive coordinator in 2020 and assistant head coach in 2021, is still under contract with the Giants.
The 63-year-old Patterson, the Cowboys defensive line coach in 2000-2002, has been one of the Giants' top assistant coaches, having helped Dexter Lawrence develop into an All-Pro defensive lineman. Patterson has also helped develop youngsters Jordon Riley, a seventh-round draft pick last year, and D.J. Davidson, a fifth-round draft pick in 2022.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll recently completed an overhaul of his staff, filling holes created through resignations and firings. He also promoted three to additional responsibilities, including offensive coordinator like Kafka (assistant head coach), quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney (offensive passing game coordinator), and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson (defensive passing game coordinator).
Patterson began his coaching career in 1981, working at the high school and college levels. He broke into the NFL in 1997 with the New England Patriots as their defensive line coach.
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