Report: Broncos interview Matt Patricia for DC role

The Denver Broncos met with New England Patriots senior football advisor Matt Patricia about their vacant defensive coordinator job, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Patricia served as the Patriots' defensive coordinator from 2012-2017. He also held various positional coaching roles during his first stint in New England.

The New York native was the head coach of the Detroit Lions for two-plus seasons, posting a 13-29-1 record in 43 contests. Patricia was dismissed after establishing a 4-7 mark during the 2020 season.

The 48-year-old returned to New England as an advisor and OL coach in his second stint from 2021-2022. Patricia faced plenty of turmoil during the 2022 season after taking over the offensive play-caller role following Josh McDaniels' departure to the Las Vegas Raiders.

New England's offense appeared to be dysfunctional throughout most of the regular season as the club struggled to score points in the red zone and witnessed quarterback Mac Jones regress in his second pro campaign.

Head coach Bill Belichick and the franchise hired Bill O'Brien as the team's offensive coordinator and QB coach to address their offensive shortcomings. It's unclear whether Patricia could return to the Patriots in any capacity after the club also hired Adrian Klemm to coach the offensive line.

Patricia is the latest candidate in Denver's search for a defensive play-caller alongside Rex Ryan and Vance Joseph. The Broncos hired Sean Payton in January after firing Nathaniel Hackett after one season.