Patriots Won’t Hire Defensive Coordinator, Brian Flores Will Call Defensive Plays

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, citing two league sources, reports that the Patriots are preparing to go into the 2018 season without a defensive coordinator.

New England lost Matt Patricia to the Lions a few months ago and the expectation was that they would promote LBs coach Brian Foles to defensive coordinator. However, Robinson says that the Patriots plan to groom Flores much like they did with Patricia and have him take over as the primary defensive play-caller next year.

Patrica called plays for the Patriots in 2010 before eventually being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012, so New England could be taking a similar approach with Flores.

While this may not be the promotion many expected for Flores, Robinson says that his new responsibilities continue significant rise for him within the organization after starting off as a scouting assistant in 2004.

You can expect Bill Belichick to spend a large amount of time working with the defensive unit this year.

It’s worth mentioning that the Cardinals interviewed Flores for their head-coaching job before eventually settling on Steve Wilks.

Flores, 36, began his NFL coaching career with the Patriots back in 2004 as a scouting assistant. He has spent his entire career with New England and held a number of positions including Pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense/special teams, defensive assistant, safeties coach and linebackers coach.