The New England Patriots may soon part ways with their passing game coordinator and tight ends coach, Thomas Brown, as he emerges as a candidate for the head coach position with the Arizona Cardinals. The news comes shortly after the Patriots secured their spot in the AFC Championship game, defeating the Houston Texans in a snowy matchup in Foxborough.
On Sunday, the Patriots showcased a dominant defensive performance, making quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s game incredibly challenging. This victory sets up a critical showdown against the Denver Broncos, who will be without quarterback Bo Nix due to a broken ankle sustained in a recent game against the Buffalo Bills.
During the Patriots’ playoff game, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Brown is expected to interview for both the Cardinals’ head coach role and the offensive coordinator position with the Los Angeles Chargers. Brown joined Mike Vrabel‘s coaching staff in January 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.
While with the Rams, Brown held multiple titles, including running backs coach, tight ends coach, and assistant head coach under Sean McVay. He later served as the offensive coordinator for the Panthers in 2023 before taking on the role of interim head coach for the Bears in November 2024, following the firing of Matt Eberflus. Under Brown’s leadership, the Bears finished the 2024 season with a record of 1-4.
In light of the potential loss of Brown, Vrabel expressed support for his coaching staff. He stated, “I want the best for every single coach that’s here, I do. 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 addition to the developments surrounding the Patriots, the coaching landscape is seeing significant changes. The Atlanta Falcons recently announced the hiring of two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski. Moreover, the Pittsburgh Steelers have scheduled an interview with former head coach Mike McCarthy, who is being considered for the position left vacant by Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after 19 seasons with the team.
As the playoffs continue, the Patriots face not only the challenge of competing for a championship but also the possibility of restructuring their coaching staff, with Brown potentially moving on to a new opportunity.
