In their exhaustive search for an offensive coordinator to replace Bill O'Brien, the New England Patriots have interviewed two new candidates.
The Pats, per CBS Sports, brought in Houston Texans’ quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown for meetings this week. In their attempts to rebuild a severely damaged scoring unit under new head coach Jerod Mayo, the Patriots might be hoping to siphon some of the ‘rags to riches’ success experienced by the cellar-dwelling turned playoff-contending Texans in the upcoming season — especially on offense.
Johnson, 35, began his coaching career in earnest in 2022, as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Kevin O’Connell. After one season, Johnson joined DeMeco Ryan’s staff in Houston, as quarterbacks coach under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. His exemplary work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud — considered by many as the frontrunner for offensive rookie of the year — has made him quite the hot coaching commodity. In addition to the Patriots, Johnson has already interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, NEw Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles for their openings at offensive coordinator. He is also set to meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday.
Brown spent the first three seasons of his pro coaching career with the Los Angeles Rams, starting as the team’s running backs coach in 2020 before moving to tight ends from 2021-22 — while also holding the title of assistant head coach during that same span. He was a member of Rams’ staff which led the team to a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. The 37-year-old joined the Carolina Panthers staff in 2023, as offensive coordinator, under former head coach Frank Reich. Despite having secured No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young as their quarterback, the Panthers offense struggled mightily throughout the season, culminating in Reich’s removal from the position in November.
Whether it be Johnson, Brown or another candidate, the Pats new offensive coordinator will be granted the unenviable task of repairing one of the most ineffective offenses in the NFL. Despite O’Brien’s efforts to repair a perceivably damaged unit in 2022, New England’s scoring unit regressed even further in 2023. The Patriots finished the season ranked No. 32 in scoring offense, averaging 13.9 points per game, while managing only 27 touchdowns.
Having met the NFLs criteria surrounding Rooney Rule compliance, the Patriots are in position to make a hire at their discretion.
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