Los Angeles Rams Hire ex Patriots Coach Nick Caley

Caley had been the longest-tenured offensive assistant on New England’s offensive coaching staff.

The Los Angeles Rams' new-look offensive coaching staff has added a rising star to direct their tight ends in the upcoming season. 

Per a Sunday night report from Sports Illustrated, former New England Patriots tight end coach Nick Caley has agreed to join coach Sean McVay’s staff in Los Angeles as the position’s coach.  

As such, Caley will be working closely with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who was recently added to the Rams fold after spending two seasons as the New York Jets offensive coordinator.

LaFleur is at his best when utilizing 12-personnel packages (one running back, two tight ends, and two receivers and empty backfield formations on third down. Caley is also well-versed in this type of offense. 

The 40-year-old joins the Rams as the Patriots' longest-tenured offensive assistant. He coached at the collegiate level for 10 years before becoming part of the Pats’ staff 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 talents such as Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

During his time in New England, Caley has earned a solid reputation for his leadership and knowledge among his colleagues, as well as his players. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that 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 quietly become a hot coaching commodity, having been listed on NFL Media’s annual ‘Watch List’ of rising head-coaching candidates under the age 45.

With his Pats’ contract about to expire this month, he interviewed with the Houston Texans last Wednesday for a spot on the staff of newly-hired head coach DeMeco Ryans. Earlier this month, Caley interviewed for the Patriots' vacant offensive coordinator position, which eventually went to ex-Alabama Crimson Tide OC Bill O'Brien. He also met with the New York Jets regarding their opening. However, the team hired ex-Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett in late January.

The Rams' current depth chart at tight end consists of incumbent starter Tyler Higbee, as well as Brycen Hopkins, Jared Pinkney, and Roger Carter, Jr. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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