Patricia's days with Pats could be numbered after coaching additions

Matt Patricia Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Patricia's days with Patriots could be numbered after coaching additions

By Pierce Downey | Last updated 2/6/23

The Patriots are set to hire Oregon's Adrian Klemm as offensive line coach, per ESPN's Pete Thamel, another move by head coach Bill Belichick to reshape the team's offense after a poor performance in 2022.

New England recently added Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, luring him back to the Pats from Alabama. The additions of Klemm and O'Brien could signal 2022 offensive play caller Matt Patricia's days with the team are numbered.

Klemm, a former Patriots offensive tackle, started 10 games for New England over five years, earning three Super Bowl rings. His last season in the NFL came in 2005 with the Packers.

At Oregon, Klemm served as associate head coach, offensive line coach and run-game coordinator. In 2022, the Ducks allowed the fewest sacks in the FBS. Klemm also has NFL coaching experience with the Steelers.

Last season, Oregon allowed the fewest sacks (five) in the FBS. Coach Dan Lanning also called Klemm “one of the very best offensive line coaches in the country.”

Patriots could also view Klemm as a future OC (or O'Brien successor) since he interviewed for the job.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) February 6, 2023

Klemm was due to return to Oregon for the 2023 season, but the Patriots offered him a pay raise, per Thamel.

Adrian Klemm was set to earn $850,000 at Oregon. @PeteThamel is reporting he's getting a raise to come to the Patriots.

You have to give to Belichick and Robert Kraft. They spent money on their offensive coaching staff this offseason.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) February 6, 2023

Per ESPN Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss, "Klemm was viewed as a strong recruiter with a knack for relating to players."

In 2022, Patricia and Billy Yates coached New England's offensive line, "with Yates seemingly doing the majority of coaching on game day," Reiss noted.

Given that information, it seems unlikely Patricia will have much to do in the way of OL coaching, and his days certainly could be numbered with the new additions to the staff.

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