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Either today or two weeks later, the New England Patriots’ 2017 season will come to an end. When that happens, the team will lose at least one of its coordinators as defensive play caller Matt Patricia is expected to become the next head coach of the Detroit Lions. And once the official announcement is made, the Patriots inevitably need to replace Patricia.
The favorite to take over as defensive coordinator is current linebackers coach Brian Flores, one of the hottest young coaches in the NFL. It is therefore no surprise to see the 36-year old garner the interest of other clubs around the league – most notably the Arizona Cardinals, who have him on their short list for the vacant head coaching spot:
Arizona wants to interview Patriots’ LB coach Brian Flores a second time for Cardinals’ HC job, per sources. If Flores gets the job, he would like to bring former Lions’ HC Jim Caldwell as his offensive coordinator, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2018
If Flores does indeed leave New England to become the Cardinals' new head coach, the Patriots would have to look elsewhere to fill Patricia's spot on the staff. One possibility is that the team does not name a coordinator, as has been the case in 2010 and 2011. Another is the team bringing in reinforcements from the outside.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, New Orleans Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn would be a name to watch if the latter scenario takes place:
The #Patriots will have to replace DC Matt Patricia, as he leaves for the #Lions. Two names that'll be considered: LBs coach Brian Flores (the favorite, up for the #AZCardinals job) and #Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn, who Bill Belichick coached in the past.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2018
Glenn, a former first round draft pick by the New York Jets, serves as the Saints' defensive backs coach since 2016 – and has a background with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick: When Belichick was defensive coordinator of the Jets from 1997 until 1999, he had Glenn on his unit as a cornerback. Now, there is a chance that the two could get reunited in New England.