It certainly looks like the New England Patriots will be losing their defensive coordinator.

Considered to be a favorite for the Detroit Lions head coaching vacancy, the New York Daily News is reporting that “all signs are pointing” to Matt Patricia as the next head coach of the New York Giants.

It’s an interesting development for one of the NFL’s hottest coaching candidates. This week, Pro Football Talk reported that the Patriots were bracing to lose Patricia as it was expected he was head to the Lions and join general manager Bob Quinn, who came from the Patriots system. However, according to the MMQB’s Peter King, Patricia favors the Giants job.

Patricia also interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals last week. The 43-year-old joined the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2004. He was an assistant offensive line coach in 2005 before moving to the defense. He coached the linebackers (2006-2010) and then the safeties (2011) before officially being named the defensive coordinator in 2012.

Patricia has worked wonders in the Patriots defense. The performance of this year’s group has been remarkable. Despite a rocky start where the unit was ranked 31st in points allowed after four weeks, the Patriots led the NFL in fewest points allowed from Week 5 to 17. The fact that the defense did this without Dont’a Hightower and an inexperienced front seven also speaks to the job Patricia did.

The Patriots defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed last season.

In the event Patricia leaves, it’s expected that the Patriots will promote linebackers coach Brian Flores to defensive coordinator. Flores interviewed with the Cardinals last week as well and ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that the coach also had interest in the past from other teams as a potential defensive signal caller.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also interviewed for the Giants job, as well as for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts jobs. The Bears hired Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. If Patricia gets the Giants job, that leaves McDaniels with one other head coaching option – the Colts.


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