Report: Patriots interviewing Byron Leftwich

Field Level Media|published: Tue 7th January, 14:38 2025

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense coordinator Byron Leftwich against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots are interviewing Byron Leftwich for their head coaching vacancy on Tuesday, The Athletic reported.

The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday after compiling a 4-13 record in his first season in Foxborough.

Leftwich, 44, most recently worked as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-22, a stint that included a Super Bowl win in the 2020 season.

Leftwich was fired by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles after the 2022 season, which saw Tampa Bay slip from the top 3 in scoring the previous three seasons to No. 15 in yards and No. 25 in points in 2022.

A quarterback and first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft, Leftwich had a 24-26 record with 10,532 passing yards and 58 touchdowns in 60 games with the Jaguars (2003-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007), Bucs (2009) and Steelers (2008, 2010, 2012).

He was also the interim offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.

Leftwich told The Athletic that he's ready to get back into coaching.

"There's something missing. ... I really do feel as though something's not there, and I've got to get back to it," he said. "I'm really into helping other players. I want to help them to play the best. I love to teach.

"Just give me the opportunity. Bring me in and see. Communicate with me, see if I'm the right type of leader you want. Do your homework. See if I can lead men. ... See if I know my X's and O's. See if I know people. See if I know what needs to be done to succeed at the job."

New England's 23-16 win over Buffalo in Sunday's season finale secured the No. 4 overall selection in April's NFL draft, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft seems to be moving quickly to get a new head coach in place.

Kraft said Monday that the front office will remain intact and that the coaching search will be headed by Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith.

Former Tennessee Titans coach and longtime Patriots player Mike Vrabel is also reportedly expected to interview along with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

--Field Level Media

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