The New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl LII after their amazing come from behind 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. The Patriots are the first team in NFL history to appear in 10 Super Bowls and this will be Brady and Belichick's eighth together. The Patriots are already planning for another parade, but before we jump ahead to the Super Bowl, there are some major news and rumors that need to be covered.
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Rob Gronkowski Should Be Good For Super Bowl
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Jaguars after a nasty hit to the head. Gronkowski was concussed and missed the remainder of the game after the hit, for which Jaguars safety Barry Church was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
Will Gronkowski be ready in two weeks for the Super Bowl? According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Patriots are optimistic Gronkowski will be cleared.
He finished the game with three targets, one catch, and 21 yards. The Patriots are obviously better with Gronkowski and not having their best offensive weapon (minus Brady) will hurt.
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Matt Patricia's Last Home Game With Patriots
The Detroit Lions are expected to hire Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their next head coach, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Patricia has been a part of the Patriots organization since 2004 serving as an offensive assistant, offensive line coach, a linebacker's coach, a safeties coach and took over as the defensive coordinator in 2012.
After the Patriots home win against the Jaguars, Patricia shared an emotional celebration with his wife Raina and rolled in the confetti with his children. This game is likely going to be his last home game with the Patriots in Foxborough.
Who Will Replace Patricia As DC?
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, once Patricia leaves for the Lions, the Patriots will need to replace him and two names to keep in mind are Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores and New Orleans Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn.
Flores was rumored to be a top candidate for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job, but Arizona announced today that Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will be the head coach. Flores is young (36) but is regarded as one of the best young defensive minds in the NFL. Belichick wants to hire someone he can trust, and Flores has served as a coach with the Patriots since 2004. He served as scouting assistant, pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense and special teams, defensive assistant, safeties coach, and linebackers coach.
Glenn began his coaching career in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns as the assistant defensive backs coach before joining the Saints in 2016. He played cornerback in the NFL and even though he was never a Patriot, he did play three seasons under Belichick with the New York Jets in the late 1990's.
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