No current plans for Bill Belichick to bring Matt Patricia back to Patriots

The Detroit Lions relieved Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn of their duties over the weekend following an embarrassing 41-25 loss to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving. 

It's unlikely Patricia gets another head coaching job anytime soon after a disastrous campaign with the Lions. However, there has been plenty of speculation that he could return to the New England Patriots either this season or in 2021. 

When asked about whether or not he'd think about bringing Patricia back to New England on WEEI's "Ordway, Merloni and Fauria," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick admitted that he has other things on his mind, according to WEEI's Ryan Hannable. 

“I’d say right now we’re really focused on correcting the mistakes from the Arizona game and moving onto the Chargers. It will be a big challenge for us out there and then a short week out there with the Rams. That’s really where my focus has been in the last few hours since the end of the Arizona game and [there will be] a lot of other things to talk about at some point, but I’d say right now this is at the doorstep.”

Before joining the Lions after the 2017 campaign, Patricia had been with the Patriots since 2004, becoming the team's defensive coordinator in 2012. He was part of three Super Bowl wins in New England, including two as the defensive coordinator.

While Belichick wouldn't reveal his plans for the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see Patricia land back with the Patriots. Belichick has yet to replace Patricia as the team's defensive coordinator. During the 2018 season, linebackers coach, and now Miami Dolphins head coach, Brian Flores called the plays. This season, Belichick's son Steve and Jerod Mayo appear to be handling the defensive play-calling. 

The Patriots are likely headed for a rebuild in the post-Tom Brady era, and it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to bring Patricia back, especially because he's more than familiar with the organization. We'll just have to wait and see.