FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Rounding up OC candidates: This week, coach Bill Belichick will begin the process of interviewing candidates to become offensive coordinator, which will include at least two external candidates who are persons of color and/or a woman, as part of the Rooney Rule.
Belichick is moving away from the structure he implemented in 2022 in which he didn't name an official coordinator, instead leaning on Matt Patricia and Joe Judge to oversee the offense despite their backgrounds in defense and special teams, respectively.