Former Lions head coach Matt Patricia clarifies new role for the Patriots

His precise role this year for the Patriots has been somewhat unclear, but former Lions head coach Matt Patricia has clarified what he’ll be doing from a coaching perspective.

In true Bill Belichick/New England Patriots fashion, things have been hush-hush regarding coaching roles–especially on the offensive with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In terms of former Lions head coach Matt Patricia, who landed back in New England last year, he seems to have some influence on personnel moves.

There have been indications Patricia and Joe Judge, another failed head coach who’s back in New England under Belichick, will have key roles in implementing the Patriots’ offense this year. Both addressed questions about their precise roles on Monday. While Judge was fairly long-winded to say he’ll be primarily working with Mac Jones and the quarterbacks, Patricia was more direct.

Via Audacy.com/97.1 The Ticket:

"I’ve been able to be out there with the offensive guys, working with the offensive line and just kind of help those guys and work some technique and talk about just basic fundamental stuff,” Patricia said of the second phase of the offseason program at Gillette Stadium. “Really working with those guys up front."

Matt Patricia going back to his coaching roots

Patricia came to the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2004, then spent 2005 as assistant offensive coach under Dante Scarnecchia. He of course then moved to the defensive side of the ball, making his name as New England’s defensive coordinator from 2012-2017.

When Patricia was head coach in Detroit, the Lions rotated guards on the offensive line to the point of ridiculousness.

As for who will call the offensive plays for the Patriots, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Judge said nothing has been determined and no one really ruled out. That includes Patricia taking on the role, with Judge and  tight ends coach Nick Caley in the mix as well.

If Patricia winds up being named the offensive play caller for the Patriots, and keeps the role that long, the Lions’ Week 5 trip to Foxboro will have an interesting added layer.