The New England Patriots may be on the verge of losing their passing game coordinator and tight ends coach, Thomas Brown, who has emerged as a candidate for the vacant head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. This development comes shortly after the Patriots secured their spot in the AFC Championship game by defeating the Houston Texans in a challenging snowy match at Foxborough. The Patriots’ defense excelled, making life difficult for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throughout the game.
Following their victory, the Patriots are set to face the Denver Broncos, who will be without their quarterback, Bo Nix, due to a broken ankle sustained against the Buffalo Bills. As the playoffs progress, the news regarding Brown adds another layer of complexity to the Patriots’ situation. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Brown is expected to interview for both the head coaching role with the Cardinals and the offensive coordinator position with the Chargers.
Brown’s coaching journey has been notable. Prior to joining head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff in January 2025, he had significant roles with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears. While with the Rams, he worked under coach Sean McVay, where he held multiple titles including running backs coach, tight ends coach, and assistant head coach. In 2023, Brown served as the offensive coordinator for the Panthers before moving to the Bears, where he transitioned from passing game coordinator to interim head coach after the dismissal of Matt Eberflus in November 2024. Under his leadership, the Bears ended the 2024 NFL season with a record of 1-4.
Rapoport shared this development on social media, stating: “#Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, who is a HC candidate with the #AZCardinals, is expected to interview for the #Chargers OC job, source said. Brown had worked with Sean McVay and Mike Vrabel, helping NE be the third-ranked passing offense.”
While the potential departure of Brown would be a setback for the Patriots, Mike Vrabel expressed optimism about his staff’s career advancements. “I want the best for every single coach that’s here, I do,” Vrabel commented regarding the interest from other teams in New England’s coordinators prior to the playoffs. “Whenever they can talk to our coaches, we’ll approach that. I’m excited for every one of them that could get an opportunity. I’ll help them whenever I can.”
In other coaching news, the Atlanta Falcons recently announced the hiring of two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to interview former head coach Mike McCarthy for their vacant head coaching position, following Mike Tomlin‘s decision to step down after 19 seasons in charge.
As the playoffs continue, the coaching landscape remains dynamic, with potential shifts that could reshape the future for various teams.
