Could Kliff Kingsbury Be Patriots Option After Cardinals Firing?
“(It’s) just an honor to go against him,” he told reporters. “It’s really humbling. It’s one of those deals where it seems like you’d be embarrassed because he’s such a great coach. He knows a lot about football. He’s run every position – he’s the best to ever do it. It’s more of an honor to go against him and try to match him, if you want, sometimes.”
Kingsbury’s offensive scheme is radically different from anything the Patriots have run under Belichick, which could dissuade them from pursuing him as a coordinator candidate. Kingsbury also may not be in a rush to start a new gig as he will continue to receive a guaranteed salary from Arizona for the next four seasons.
But he’s at least on New England’s radar. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported this week that the Patriots “have done their research” on the former Cardinals and Texas Tech coach.
“If you want to go completely off the board, here’s one for you: The Patriots have done their research on Kliff Kingsbury,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston. “I don’t know if Kliff Kingsbury will be available. I don’t know if Kliff Kingsbury will want to coach if he gets fired in Arizona, but I think he’s someone the Patriots would look at as far as if you’re looking at someone who might be able to take things forward. little and there are different ideas to inject into what you are doing.
“I know things haven’t been perfect in Arizona, but one thing the defensive coaches have told me over and over the last couple of years is because it’s so out of the norm, Kingsbury’s offense might be the hardest to prepare for the entire NFL. . So that would be a name to put on your radar if the O’Brien thing doesn’t happen.”
O’Brien remains the most logical target for the Patriots, whose offense has struggled this season with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge leading the way. But he likely has other suitors, with Tampa Bay and Tennessee rumored as other possible landing spots for the current Alabama OC.
Belichick did not reveal Monday whether he plans to replace Patricia and/or Judge this offseason, saying at his end-of-season news conference that he will “evaluate everything we’ve done.”
The Patriots finished the season 24th in Football Outsiders’ expected points added per game and offensive DVOA after ranking in the top 10 in both categories in 2021. They were 17th in points per game, but scored 20.5% of their snaps (8 of 39) on defense or special teams.
