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There has been mounting speculation the Detroit Lions are going to hire New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to be the team’s next head coach, but a prominent national writer is casting doubt on the future pairing.
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King said while the Lions prefer Patricia, the coordinator may have his eyes on another coaching vacancy.
“In Detroit, I hear Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the choice over Houston’s defensive boss, Mike Vrabel — but Patricia favors the Giants,” King writes. “If the Giants give the nod to Patricia, Detroit could be Vrabel’s job.”
Despite a talent-thin roster, and a franchise quarterback in the twilight of his career, there are multiple factors that could draw Patricia to the Giants.
First, it’s closer to home than Detroit. He was born in New York, raised in the state and went to college at Rensselaer Polytechnic, located three hours north of the city.
And the Giants are one of the NFL’s premier franchises, winners of four Super Bowls and owned by the Maras, one of the league’s most influential families.
New York was also where Patricia’s longtime boss, Bill Belichick was molded as coach. He spent a dozen years with the franchise, working under Bill Parcells, before earning his first head-coaching opportunity.
Finally, the Giants holds the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, so there’s potential for Patricia to draft and develop a young quarterback of his choosing.
Patricia interviewed with the Giants shortly before talking with the Lions about their opening. He’s also met with the Arizona Cardinals. When asked about the process earlier this week, he offered no insight into his future.
“It’s always a learning experience, like when I’ve been through it before,” Patricia said on Monday. “You know, you have the opportunity to learn about some other franchises and get a chance to talk about how they do things and really just kind of broaden your whole overall education of what the NFL and the different organizations are. So, it’s always a very informative process.”
In addition to Patricia, the Giants have also interviewed New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Minnesota offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo.
The idea of Patricia going to the Giants counters a Pro Football Talk report from last week.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Patriots are bracing for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to leave, most likely to become the next coach of the Detroit Lions,” the site wrote.
That report was parroted by several other outlets, including CBS Sports. But no one, including King, offer definitive declarations.
The Lions and Giants can’t hire, or even negotiate with Patricia until the Patriots have been eliminated from the playoffs. If the Patriots make the Super Bowl, both teams would have an opportunity for a second interview.
At the very least, King makes it sound like the Lions have a clear backup plan if Patricia opts for New York.
Vrabel, 42, interviewed with the Lions last week and also has an extensive history with Lions general manager Bob Quinn. Vrabel was a veteran linebacker and locker room leader while Quinn was working his way up the ladder as a scout in New England during three of the franchise’s Super Bowl wins.
A young coach, Vrabel spent his first three years at his alma mater, Ohio State, before joining Bill O’Brien’s staff in Houston in 2014. After coaching the team’s linebackers for three seasons, Vrabel was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
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