The Patriots reportedly aren’t done building their offensive coaching staff

The hiring of Bill O’Brien earlier this week may have felt to some like the end of a process of replacing Matt Patricia as the team’s offensive coordinator. As it turns out, O’Brien’s hire – made official Thursday morning – may just be the beginning of the Patriots’ revamping their whole offensive coaching staff.

Thursday evening, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported the Patriots likely aren’t done making coaching staff additions on the offensive side of the ball. “New OC Bill O’Brien almost certainly won’t be the only addition to the Patriots’ coaching staff,” Howe tweeted. “Sounds like O’Brien will have input in more additions on offense.”

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• Who might those additions be? The most obvious candidate right now is Adrian Klemm, who had a second interview with the team earlier this week after initially interviewing for the OC job. Klemm, who is currently the offensive line coach and run game coordinator as well as associate head coach at the University of Oregon, would be a logical choice as the next offensive line coach. That role was held by Patricia last year.

  Tight ends coach is another position that will need to be filled. Although last year’s tight ends coach Nick Caley didn’t get the OC job he interviewed for with the New York Jets, his status remains uncertain as his contract with the team reportedly expired at the end of the 2022 season. He did interview with the team for the offensive coordinator job.

  Other names to keep in mind are Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach and associate head coach Shawn Jefferson, and Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell. Both interviewed with the Patriots for the OC opening last week.

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  LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 14: Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated Vikings the 26-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

• Doug Marrone has also been suggested as a candidate to join O’Brien’s staff. O’Brien and Marrone, who is currently the offensive line coach for the Saints, have a decades-long relationship, predating their first time working together at Georgia Tech in the late 90s.

  This all comes as the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff from 2022 has been put back into the spotlight. Thursday morning, the Boston Herald released an in-depth report highlighting internal disfunction that plagued Patricia, Judge, and others on the offensive side of the ball during this past season.

  The current Patriots’ coaching staff, including O’Brien, is currently in Las Vegas for the Shrine Bowl. Their operations during the week could hint at coaches’ roles for 2023, and at the same time possibly suggest which roles they’re still looking to fill.

• 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.