Bill Belichick-Like Reunion? Patriots to Interview Rams Coach Nick Caley
FOXBORO — While the New England Patriots coaching staff will have a new look for 2024, they may look to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy with a familiar face.
Los Angeles Rams’ tight ends coach Nick Caley, who coached with the Pats from 2015-22, is scheduled to interview with the team on Monday, per an ESPN report. New England is actively searching for a candidate to replace former coordinator Bill O’Brien — who was recently named to the same position at Ohio State University — on the staff of newly-minted head coach Jerod Mayo.
To say that the Patriots and Caley are familiar with each other may be a slight understatement. He coached at the collegiate level for 10 years before becoming part of the Pats in 2015. In 2017, he was promoted and became New England’s tight ends coach. Caley added to his resume in 2020, by adding the title of being the team's fullbacks coach in addition to his duties as tight ends coach. Throughout his tenure, he worked with top-level talent such as Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.
During his time in New England, Caley earned a solid reputation for his leadership and knowledge among his colleagues, as well as his players. Accordingly, he was rumored as a potential candidate to replace Josh McDaniels as New England’s offensive coordinator last offseason. Coach Bill Belichick ultimately decided to fill that void with a combination of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge; though Caley was given some opportunities to call plays during training camp and the preseason.
Caley had also become a hot coaching commodity, having been listed on NFL Media’s annual ‘Watch List’ of rising head-coaching candidates under the age 45, listed as a “coach to watch in future years.” Last season, he interviewed for a spot on the staff of Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. He also met with the New York Jets regarding their opening. However, the team hired ex-Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett in late January. Lastly, Caley interviewed for the Patriots vacant offensive coordinator position, which eventually went to O'Brien. As a result, Caley accepted the Rams’ offer to become their tight ends coach under coordinator Mike LaFleur and head coach Sean McVay for the 2023 season.
If hired, Caley 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.
The Patriots are expected to act quickly in filling the three top positions on Mayo’s staff. Several interviews have either been conducted or scheduled for their openings at defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.
