Ex-Lions HC Matt Patricia ‘interviewed for the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator position’

The Denver Broncos interviewed Matt Patricia on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator opening, NFL Network reported.

Patricia, who called plays for the New England offense last season, joins a list of ‘top candidates’ that includes Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph.

New Denver head coach Sean Payton is interviewing to replace Ejiro Evero, who left to become the DC in Carolina.

Patricia, 48, was the longtime defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots (2012-17) – where he won three Super Bowls. 

In 2018 he took the head coaching job in Detroit, before a disastrous 13-29-1 saw him fired by the Lions after Week 12 of the 2020 season.

Patricia spent the 2022 season back with the Patriots as the de-facto offensive coordinator with Joe Judge. Patricia held the title of senior football adviser/offensive line.

The Patriots brought back Bill O’Brien to be OC moving forward. It’s unclear if Patricia has a spot on the Patriots’ staff for 2023. 

His contract – still being paid by the Detroit Lions – expired at the end of last season. Patricia wasn’t part of the Patriots’ contingent of coaches at the Shrine Bowl.

Former Jets coach Ryan has already had two interviews with Broncos brass as the potential of a stunning return to the sideline grows. 

The 60-year-old spoke with team representatives on Saturday, according to ESPN, just three days after having ’emerged as a top candidate’ for the vacancy on Sean Payton’s staff, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.

Ryan previously stated that he would not leave his role as an analyst for ESPN and Sunday NFL Countdown unless the ‘perfect situation’ emerged. 

Ryan’s last year as an NFL head coach was the 2016 season, when he was fired with one game remaining by the Bills, following the team’s failure to reach the postseason with a 7-8 overall record.