ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals assistant Jefferson reportedly interviewing for Pats’ OC opening

Jan 19, 2023, 9:44 AM | Updated: 11:38 am

Arizona Cardinals associate head coach and wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson (Tyler Drake/Arizona...

Arizona Cardinals associate head coach and wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports).

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

The Arizona Cardinals continue searching for their new head coach, and even though there is a chance some members of Kliff Kingsbury’s staff could return under a new regime, it’s likely those assistants are open to finding more certain landing spots.

Take associate head coach and wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, who is reportedly interviewing for the New England Patriots’ opening at offensive coordinator, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.

New England lost former OC Josh McDaniels before the 2022 season when he became head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick took the unusual step of replacing him with long-time Patriots defensive assistant and former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia. Former special teams coordinator Joe Judge also took on quarterback-coaching duties as New England’s offense struggled in quarterback Mac Jones’ second season.

Jefferson, who played for the Patriots at receiver from 1996-99, joined the Cardinals two years ago and replaced former wide receivers coach David Raih, bringing a more disciplined attitude to the position group.

Jefferson had little better traction in developing receivers, as the team moved on from 2019 second-round draft pick Andy Isabella after he failed to earn playing time early on this year despite injuries.

Due to injuries, inconsistencies and a rotation of quarterbacks, the Cardinals’ receivers were hit-and-miss this past year. DeAndre Hopkins led the team with 717 receiving yards in just nine games, while Marquise Brown was close behind with 709 yards in 12 games. Midseason acquisition Robbie Anderson also failed to make an impact, making seven catches for 76 yards over 10 games.

Perhaps the best story of development under Jefferson’s watch was that of undrafted receiver Greg Dortch, who finished third on the team with 467 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Jefferson is searching for a new opportunity with no certainty he will return to Arizona.

That likelihood could presumably increase if defensive coordinator Vance Joseph steps into the head role, but with new general manager Monti Ossenfort currently running through head-coaching interviews, that is not a given.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals is embracing change amid coaching staff carousel....

Tyler Drake

‘Part of the business’: Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon facing new challenge in Year 3

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is facing a new reality with the departures of multiple assistants this offseason.

1 day ago

A recent ESPN mock draft has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the NF...

Brandon Cadiz

ESPN’s Matt Miller has Cardinals taking two CBs in Mock Draft

ESPN's analyst Matt Miller has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

3 days ago

The Jaguars are hiring former Cardinals pass game specialist Spencer Whipple as their next QBs coac...

Tyler Drake

Jaguars hiring Cardinals’ Spencer Whipple as their new quarterbacks coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Cardinals pass game specialist Spencer Whipple as their next quarterbacks coach.

3 days ago

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball for a touchdown during the secon...

Associated Press

Saquon Barkley can set the NFL total rushing record, but he wants a Super Bowl win

Saquon Barkley is 30 yards shy of breaking the NFL season rushing record, postseason included. He wants a Super Bowl win.

3 days ago

Could the Arizona Cardinals be headed toward adding another offensive line cornerstone in the 2025 ...

Tyler Drake

You can officially put these Ohio State prospects on Cardinals’ NFL Draft radar

Could the connection between Cardinals OL coach Justin Frye and a couple of offensive line prospects impact what Arizona does in the NFL Draft?

3 days ago

Cardinals assistant Jefferson reportedly interviewing for Pats’ OC opening