Report: Broncos Interview Long-Time Patriots Assistant for DC Job

Sean Payton's Denver Broncos have been linked to a few high-profile defensive coordinator candidates. Names like Vic Fangio, Rex Ryan, and Vance Joseph have been considered by Payton for his top defensive job, all three of whom are former head coaches (two in Denver).

Throw another former head coach into the mix as Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero broke the news on Wednesday that the Broncos spent the day meeting with long-time New England Patriots assistant, and former Detroit Lions head coach, Matt Patricia for the defensive coordinator gig.

The Broncos spent today with an intriguing candidate for their vacant defensive coordinator job: Matt Patricia. Sources tell me and Tom Pelissero. The former Patriots assistant is in Denver speaking with Sean Payton today. Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph are also top candidates," Rapoport tweeted.

The #Broncos spent today with an intriguing candidate for their vacant defense coordinator job: Matt Patricia. Sources tell me and @TomPelissero the former #Patriots assistant is in Denver speaking with Sean Payton today. Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph are also top candidates.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2023

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Patricia, 48, returned to New England in 2021 after the Lions fired him, but he didn't return to the defensive coordinator position he held for six years before leaving for Detroit. Bill Belichick installed Patricia as a 'senior football advisor.'

Patricia helped coach the offensive line in 2021 and has been given more purview over that side of the ball, which is strange, considering his area of expertise. But Belichick, if nothing else, is not a football mind who is slave to custom. He likes to mix things up.

Patricia's defenses in New England were usually sound and disciplined, though the unit was rarely asked to carry the team's water, thanks to the presence of Tom Brady on the other side of the ball. Patricia's tenure as a head coach in Detroit was utterly forgettable, even with Matthew Stafford as his quarterback, finishing with a 13-29-1 record (.314).

Payton's interest in Patricia shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as he's long been a Belichick fanboy and has studied the Patriots for years. Both Payton and Belichick spring off the Bill Parcells coaching tree.

"When I got hired in New Orleans in 2006, we just had to look at New England if we really wanted to see what the standard was," Payton said during his introductory press conference in Denver. "If we were making pizzas and there’s a line around the block in front of their pizza parlor, then we might want to know what they’re putting in their crust or their sauce."

Patricia could definitely provide the secret ingredients to Belichick's sauce. That alone could be 80% of Patricia's draw for Payton.

The Broncos were expected to announce a defensive coordinator hire sometime this week. On hump day, though, we're halfway through, and still no resolution.

Payton will take his time and hire the guy he wants, ultimately. The Walton/Penner group's pockets are deep, and the Broncos' new head coach is expected to capitalize on that asset.

If nothing else, we can glean that Payton is prioritizing experience at defensive coordinator.

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!