Motor City Mojo? Patriots to Interview Lions Coach For Offensive Coordinator

In their comprehensive search for an offensive coordinator, new head coach Jerod Mayo and the New England Patriots will interview Detroit Lions coach Tanner Engstrand.

The New England Patriots might be looking to add a bit of Motor City magic to their coaching staff on offense in 2024.

The Patriots, per NFL Network, plan to interview Detroit Lions’ pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand for their open offensive coordinator position. Engstrand’s name has become a popular one around the NFL thanks to Detroit’s offensive success helping them to their first conference championship game since 1991. 

Detroit Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand / Cred: USA Today Images

Engstrand began his coaching career at San Diego as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh, who recently parlayed his national championship victory with the Michigan Wolverines into the head coach seat with the Los Angeles Chargers. He later coached running backs and quarterbacks at San Diego before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2011. Engstrand was also an offensive analyst under Harbaugh at Michigan in 2018. 

Following a brief stay as offensive coordinator for the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2019, Engstrand joined the Lions in 2020 as an offensive assistant. He was promoted to tight ends coach and passing game coordinator in 2022. His work under Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has made him an intriguing option for teams in need of a new offensive coordinator. 

Whether it be Engstrand or another candidate, the Pats new offensive coordinator will be granted the unenviable task of repairing one of the most ineffective offenses in the NFL. Despite outgoing coordinator Bill 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.

Patriots Interview 2 New Candidates For Offensive Coordinator

In addition to Engstrand, former Las Vegas Raiders coach (and ex-Pat) Josh McDaniels, Los Angeles Rams coaches Nick Caley and Zac Robinson, Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnston and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown are in consideration for the open position. 

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