PHOENIX — Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley is leaving the organization for the same position with the Los Angeles Rams, according to Sports Illustrated.
The 40-year-old Caley, who spent the last eight seasons on coach Bill Belichick’s staff, had interviewed for multiple offensive coordinator jobs this hiring cycle, but was passed over in New England for Bill O’Brien and by the New York Jets for Nathaniel Hackett. He also interviewed for Houston’s opening.
The writing seemed on the wall for Caley, as he did not travel with the rest of the coaching staff to Las Vegas for the East-West Shrine Bowl. His contract was also set to expire this season.
Advertisement
Caley’s departure is just another change for New England’s offensive staff following the team’s disappointing 2022 season. In addition to hiring O’Brien from Alabama, the Patriots are also bringing in Will Lawing, who spent the last two seasons as an analyst for the Crimson Tide.
Lawing’s official title has yet to be announced, but he would be a logical replacement for Caley. In O’Brien’s final two seasons as head coach of the Texans, Lawing served as the tight ends coach.
Caley’s departure also marks the end of the Patriots’ “brain drain” following Super Bowl LIII. The team now has just one position coach, Steve Belichick, remaining from its championship staff that year.
Brian Belichick, Mike Pellegrino, and DeMarcus Covington, who were all coaching assistants at the end of the 2018 season, have since received promotions.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her on Twitter @nicolecyang.