The Patriots’ offensive coaching staff has been the focus for much of this offseason. Their latest addition though is on the defensive side of the ball.

According ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots are expected to hire Keith Jones as a defensive coaching assistant. Jones would be the fourth outside hire added to the coaching staff this offseason joining three offensive coaching in Bill O’Brien (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Adrian Klemm (offensive linemen) and Will Lawing (tight ends).

• Jones played college football as a defensive lineman at Tennessee-Martin from 2014-2016, then professionally for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Indoor Football League. He got into coaching in 2021 as a graduate assistant with Arkansas State, then held the same position at Arkansas on Sam Pittman’s staff last year.

  Although he’s now being officially hired by the team, Jones has worked with the Patriots before. He was with the team during training camp last year as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship. After returning to Arkansas for the season, he re-joined the Patriots as an assistant defensive line coach at the Shrine Bowl back in January.

  Now with the Patriots full-time, Jones will likely work with the defensive linemen under defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington. There could be room for Jones to move up in the future too, with Covington asked to interview for multiple defensive coordinator jobs during this offseason.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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