The New England Patriots have officially begun their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Jerod Mayo after just one season at the helm. Among the candidates interviewed is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, as reported by Mike Jones of The Athletic.
Leftwich, who won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers, has been on the sidelines since being fired following the 2022 season. Under his guidance, Tampa Bay's offense had previously ranked high, only to drop to 25th overall just before his exit. This led Patriots owner Robert Kraft to explore other coaching prospects, including former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who is expected to be pursued aggressively after also receiving interest from other teams such as the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.
The need for change within the Patriots organization is urgent, considering their subpar performance over recent seasons, marked by three consecutive losing records, which is unprecedented for the franchise since the early 90s. While Leftwich is one name on the list, others like Pep Hamilton, who recently coached with the Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions' Ben Johnson are also under consideration.
Leftwich's coaching career has had its ups and downs. After being fired from Tampa Bay, he expressed his desire to return to coaching. "I didn't have the opportunities right after and this last year, but I understand the process," he reflected. He stated, "Nothing should be giving to me. Nobody owes me anything. So, I’m going to just work and see if I can have the opportunity to coach in this league again." Leftwich's self-awareness and readiness to tackle challenges seem to position him as a candidate eager for another chance.
Leftwich’s history as both player and coach has marked him as someone familiar with the Patriots' culture. He served as the Buccaneers' OC from 2019-2022 and was integral to their success, particularly during their Super Bowl run. During this period, the team ranked among the league's best offenses, mainly thanks to the addition of Tom Brady. Still, his tenure took a downturn during his last season, contributing to his ousting.
The Patriots are facing significant competition as they explore coaching options, with leftwich potentially being overshadowed by other candidates. The Patriots must comply with the Rooney Rule, which mandates interviews with minority candidates, which is another reason Leftwich's hiring is significant.
The interest from New England signals Leftwich’s enduring reputation as he looks to re-enter the coaching fray. During his career, he interviewed for the head coach role with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was overlooked for Doug Pederson, leading to frustrations for Leftwich, who stated, "I was willing and ready to take [the Jaguars] job ... I thought they had players you can win games with." He has also expressed eagerness to contribute positively to his prospective team, indicating he is prepared to help develop quarterback Drake Maye for the future.
Despite the turbulent season with the Buccaneers, Leftwich's aspirations remain intact. "Just give me the opportunity. Bring me in and see. Communicate with me, see if I’m the right type of leader you want," he said, hinting at his eagerness to showcase his knowledge of the game and his ability to lead effectively.
While the Patriots have made strides to identify their next head coach, Leftwich's track record as part of championship-winning teams can’t be ignored. His willingness to take on responsibility and learn from past experiences makes him both relatable and aspirational for the franchise trying to reclaim its former glory.
Only time will tell whether Leftwich can translate his previous successes and lessons learned from his time without coaching back to the sidelines of the NFL. The upcoming interviews will reveal how favorable his chances are to regain his footing within such a storied organization as the Patriots.