Byron Leftwich recently confirmed his intention of returning to the NFL, and he has at least one suitor interested in speaking with him about a head coaching position. Leftwich will meet with the Patriots today, Mike Jones of The Athletic reports. 
Leftwich spent three seasons working under Bruce Arians in Arizona, and at the end of his Cardinals tenure it came as no surprise the pair reunited in Tampa Bay. The former first-round quarterback worked as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-22. Since then, however, Leftwich has been out of coaching.
The 44-year-old generated some interest in the coaching ranks recently, but he has had his eye on a new NFL opportunity. Tampa Bay enjoyed notable offensive success for much of Letwich’s tenure, but after Arians was replaced as head coach by Todd Bowles the unit took a step back during the 2022 campaign. Leftwich interviewed for the Ravens’ OC position in 2023, and one year later he made clear his interest in reuniting with Mike Tomlin by taking on the offensive coordinator spot in Pittsburgh. The 2025 hiring cycle marks his next opportunity to receive a look.
Leftwich does not have head coaching experience, but he has been connected to HC openings before. Reports emerged in 2022 stating he was a candidate for the Jaguars’ head coaching position, with perceived tension with general manger Trent Baalke ultimately leading the team in another direction. Leftwich has since denied that he was ever offered the position, one which – as of yesterday – is once again open.
The Patriots had a 24-year run with Bill Belichick at the helm, and his successor took over last offseason. Jerod Mayo was long viewed as Belichick’s heir apparent, with a succession clause being added to his contract to prevent the team from needing to conduct an outside search. After one year at the helm, Mayo was dismissed, leaving owner Robert Kraft and the team’s front office (which will remain intact) to start over.
To no surprise, Mike Vrabel is seen as the top candidate for New England’s vacancy. Like Mayo, Vrabel has a past as a former Patriots player, and Kraft is known to hold him in high regard. The team must meet with at least two external minority candidates as part of the search process to satisfy the Rooney Rule, and Leftwich will qualify in that respect. That is not the case for Lions OC Ben Johnson, who is expected to interview with New England. Leftwich will join him in terms of candidates with an offensive background as the Patriots seek out a coach capable of developing quarterback Drake Maye over the short- and long-term future.
A clear rooney rule interview.
It seems to be, which shows how unfair that rule actually is to minority coaches. A dog and pony show rather than substantive (and realistic) interviews.
Yeah, Leftwich might be a fine HC but the Rooney rule ironically could prevent him from getting the chance, unless he thrives somewhere first as an OC.
Probably a head coach interview to hire him as the oc. He’s was a hot commodity 3-4 years ago. His quarterback was Winston so i would give him another chance.
I don’t believe for a second that the Patriots view him as a legit candidate. He’s fulfilling the Rooney Rule obligation before they hire Vrabel.
Side note: I’m surprised they don’t give some thought to Flores given his New England ties, but maybe they’re concerned he’ll sue them when they inevitably go with Vrabel.
Or maybe he’ll just bully Maye and say he ain’t any good
That kind of stuff worked when “The Patriot Way” was still intact. We know BB wasn’t the nicest. Maybe they’ve moved on from that mentality.
Really Bob Kraft?…stop the ruse, this is a “going through the motions.” interview.
The ruse is the rule. teams are forced to interview people they have no intentions of hiring because they HAVE to. He wants to hire Vrabel (presumed) but he has to comply with the rule, what are they supposed to do? what’s the alternative to “going through the motions” ?
Get it out of the way early.