Patriots Medical Director Dr. Matt Provencher Won't Return in 2016

Three days ago, the New England Patriots let offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo walk. Yesterday, the team lost linebackers coach Patrick Graham to the New York Giants. Earlier this year, the team lost director of pro scouting Bob Quinn to the Detroit Lions.

Now, the Patriots see another member of their extended staff leave the team. According to CSNNE's Phil Perry, the team's medical director Dr. Matt Provencher won't be back in 2016:

Dr. Matt Provencher is leaving his job as Chief of Sports Medicine at MGH, Patriots medical director.

Dr. Provencher became the Patriots' medical director in 2014, after taking over for Dr. Thomas Gill, and earned a Super Bowl ring last February. The Barrington, NH native, who received his medical degree at Dartmouth and worked closely with the Navy for several years, released the following statement via csnne.com:

This means that I will have to give up the best job I've ever had in my life and that was working with the Kraft Group, the Kraft family, Bill Belichick and his staff and the Patriots training staff. This is a family decision. I was humbled, honored and grateful to be part of the organization. It was the closest thing to working with the Navy Special Forces and SEAL teams that you could get. The commit to excellence, commitment to mission and commitment to teammates and doing the job well was unparalleled. It was a unique environment and I am deeply indebted for the opportunity. It was a family decision for us and a great, great opportunity.

The "family decision", Dr. Provencher talks about, is leaving the New England area to take a position at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO.

As is custom, Massachusetts General Hospital's chief of sports medicine simultaneously also serves as the Patriots' medical director. Therefore, as soon as MGH announces Dr. Provencher's successor, New England's pro football franchise will have its new medical director.