The NFL’s equivalent of a “hot stove” of practice is starting to come to a head for the New England Patriots.With several interviews scheduled and/or completed throughout the week, the Pats are finalizing the hiring of new head coach Jerod Mayo.
The Patriots have interviewed the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant coach for the defensive coordinator position, Sports Illustrated reports. This makes Alexander the fifth prospect the team is officially considering.
Alexander is in his second year as Pittsburgh’s defensive backs coach under head coach Mike Tomlin. Under his leadership, the Steelers led the league with 20 players in 2022. Prior to joining the Steel City, the 39-year-old was the defensive backs coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2021 under former Pats coach Brian Flores.
According to SI’s Albert Briere, Alexander will face stiff competition from current Pats defensive backs coach DeMarcus Covington. DeMarcus Covington has become a “strong favorite” for the position (as Bree reports).
Since taking over as defensive backs coach in 2020, Covington has earned the trust and respect of his teammates, especially his players. New England finished the regular season 7th in the NFL in total defense, averaging 301.6 yards per game and allowing 21.5 yards per game.
The Pats Run Defense ranks fourth overall in rushing yards allowed per game at 93.2. Covington’s steady hand on the defensive line was a major reason for their success in 2023. While Covington is considered a contender for the position, the Pats could consider a group of candidates to interview, including Alexander, Carolina Panthers coach and New Orleans tight end Tem Lucabu.
New England appears to have pulled out all the stops when it interviewed former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron before accepting a job with the Chicago Bears. Waldron is one of the top coaching prospects starting in 2021, serving as the offensive coordinator under former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Waldron, a graduate of Andover Academy in Massachusetts and Tufts University, began his NFL career with the Patriots as an operations intern in 2002 and as an assistant in 2004. He returned for a second stint with the Pats as the offensive line coach for quality control . .
He worked as a coach in 2008 and 2009. In addition to his time in Seattle, Waldron coached with the Los Angeles Rams under coach Sean McVay. While several teams were expected to show interest in Waldron, Chicago moved quickly to secure his services.
