Bill O’Brien not the only solution being considered for Patriots play-calling

January 20, 2023 ndowd

The New England Patriots have requested permission to interview one of the top assistant coaches in the NFC North for their offensive coordinator vacancy.

The New England Patriots have begun their search for an offensive coordinator after the plan to have Matt Patricia as offensive play-caller for the 2022 season backfired tremendously.

With the offense and quarterback Mac Jones regressing, the Patriots are looking for someone to help turn the tide. While the team has been heavily linked to former assistant Bill O’Brien, there is a new name that has emerged as a potential candidate for the job. This candidate just so happens to be one of the top assistant coaches in the NFC North.

According to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have requested permission to speak to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Keenan McCardell for their offensive coordinator opening. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported that McCardell’s interview with the Patriots is scheduled for Thursday.

The #Patriots have requested permission to speak with #Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell for their OC position, sources say. He joins a growing list of candidates that also includes #Bama OC Bill O’Brien.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2023

Patriots request to interview Vikings WR coach Keenan McCardell for OC position

McCardell does have a history with Belichick. Back in 1992, McCardell signed with the Cleveland Browns, who were coached by Belichick. The two were together for four seasons until Belichick’s firing after the 1995 campaign.

After his playing career ended in 2007, McCardell got into coaching, primarily as a wide receivers coach. He started off with the now-Washington Commanders (2010-11) before moving on to University of Maryland (2014-15), and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-20). McCardell was brought in to Minnesota as wide receivers coach in 2021 on Mike Zimmer’s staff. He remained in the position after Kevin O’Connell replaced Zimmer.

Minnesota’s wide receiver depth chart is headlined by Justin Jefferson, who has recorded over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. The team also has veteran Adam Thielen and third-year wideout K.J. Osborn.

Let’s look at Minnesota’s receiving numbers in 2021 and 2022 with McCardell coaching the group (via ESPN):

2021: 261.8 receiving yards per game (tied-10th in NFL), 398 receptions (12th), 11.2 yards per catch (tied-11th)
2022: 283.4 receiving yards per game (second), 448 receptions (third), 10.8 yards per catch (tied-18th)

The Patriots have also interviewed O’Brien on Thursday. O’Brien is the offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, a position he held since 2021. O’Brien was a former Patriots offensive coordinator before he became head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions and Houston Texans.

Another name that will interview for the offensive coordinator job in New England is Arizona Cardinals associate head coach and wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, whose interview will be held on Friday.

source