Another candidate has emerged for the New England Patriots’ open offensive coordinator position – and it’s another former player.
According to Josina Anderson, the Pats are interviewing Shawn Jefferson for the offensive coordinator job on Friday. Longtime Patriots fans (and freaks like Alex Barth) may know Jefferson from when he played in New England from 1996-99. There’s a Bill Belichick connection there; Belichick was the Pats’ assistant head coach/defensive backs coach in Bill Parcells’ final year in 1996, before both departed for the Jets.
Jefferson is best known these days, however, as a veteran wide receivers coach who recently graduated to associate head coach/WRs coach for the Arizona Cardinals. He’s been coaching receivers in the NFL since 2005, when he coached the Calvin Johnson-era Detroit Lions from 2005-12. Johnson called Jefferson the best receivers coach he’s seen in the league in a 2019 interview.
Since the Lions, Jefferson has also spent time coaching wideouts for the Titans, Dolphins, and Jets, and most recently for the Cardinals. He was promoted to associate head coach on top of WRs coach ahead of the 2022 season.
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama OC Bill O’Brien remains the favorite to take the job in New England, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. But Jefferson joins a growing list that also includes current Pats tight ends coach Nick Caley, Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell, and Oregon associate head coach/former Patriots offensive lineman Adrian Klemm.
Assuming Matt Patricia and Joe Judge will be reassigned to non-offensive roles on Belichick’s staff, the Patriots will also have to find coaches for the quarterbacks and offensive line. It’s interesting that they’re interviewing multiple receivers coaches for the job. They currently have Troy Brown and Ross Douglas coaching the receivers, and Billy Yates is aboard as an assistant O-line coach.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarteragainst the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)