Report: Former Patriots assistant coach Matt Patricia signing with Eagles as defensive assistant

FOXBORO, Mass — Former Patriots assistant coach Matt Patricia is joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior defensive assistant, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

And now it is official: Eagles have hired former Patriots’ assistant coach Matt Patricia as their new senior defensive assistant, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2023

Patricia helped coach New England’s defense for the greater part of a decade and a half, helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls.

Although he never formally held the title, Patricia served as the Patriots’ defacto offensive coordinator in 2022. Patricia’s first pure offensive coaching role since 2005 was met with disastrous returns. Patricia’s offense finished 22nd in offensive points per game, 26th in total yards per game, 27th in third-down percentage and dead last red zone percentage.

Both Patricia and fellow assistant coach Joe Judge were removed from offensive coaching duties this summer after the hiring of Bill O’Brien.

While Patricia springs for Philadelphia, Judge will remain in Foxborough and return to special teams coaching duties.

Patricia returned to New England as a senior football advisor in 2021 after flopping as head coach of the Detroit Lions. In Philadelphia, he will be reunited with one of his former Lions, Darius Slay, who publicly criticized his former head coach’s tenure in Detroit. The 32-year-old cornerback recalled that Patricia told Slay he shouldn’t be working out with former Pro Bowl cornerbacks like Richard Seymour and Aqib Talib because he wasn’t the same caliber of player.

Slay has made four of his five career Pro Bowl appearances since Patricia’s first year coaching the Lions, including two straight with the Eagles.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Thursday he spoke with Slay before deciding to add Patricia to his staff.

Nick Sirianni said he did speak to Darius Slay about the Matt Patricia hiring to make sure everyone is comfortable with it.

"I know it will be a great working relationship." https://t.co/gEXPcHvfDM
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 20, 2023