How could things ultimately turn out for Patriots when it comes to their staff?

Three thoughts on how the NFL’s Black Monday could ultimately impact the Patriots:


1. While Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels have already generated serious head coaching buzz in a number of spots — Patricia has been linked to Detroit and Arizona, while McDaniels has already seen his name mentioned in association with vacant jobs in Arizona, Indianapolis and the New York Giants — Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores saw his name crop up on Monday in connection with the Cardinals job.

Other than the fact that he gave the world "Malcolm, go!" just before the end of Super Bowl XLIX, there's not much out there (at least nationally) when it comes to Flores. But he's now starting to emerge more as The Next Guy when it comes to the Patriots’ coaching tree.

The 36-year-old, a former linebacker at Boston College from 1999 through 2003, has steadily climbed the ladder in Foxborough, going from scout to coaching assistant to positional coach, where he was first in charge of the safeties (from 2012-2015) before moving to the linebackers (2016-present). He's held in high esteem by players and coaches alike.

In truth, Flores’ career arc has mirrored current defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Both are whip-smart guys who started at the bottom in Foxborough but ended up coaching multiple spots before settling in on the defensive side of the ball in their thirties. Patricia was named defensive coordinator at age 38 — Flores is 36.

Perhaps the surest sign of Flores’ eventual ascent? In the preseason, Belichick has occasionally allowed positional coaches to call plays from the sideline. Flores has done that for the defense in the preseason finale in 2016 and 2017.

Regardless of what happens, Flores seems poised to be one of the big winners when it comes to the current coaching carousel and how could affect New England.

2. Both McDaniels and Patricia were asked Monday morning about the head coaching buzz that’s been generated around them over the last couple of days.

Patricia: “Yeah, I mean I have no idea about any of that. None of that is even really applicable for me right now because I don't have any information on that. I'm in normal mode – came in and graded the Jets. (I'm) trying to take a good look at what we did on defense yesterday and try to see where things that were positive and things that we've got to get better on and working to make sure that we have a good, productive week this week and try to improve those things.”

McDaniels: “Yeah, I mean, that process – whatever it is – it will take place. I mean, I’m certainly not aware of anything at this point. I’ve just been focused on trying to grade our tape and work with our staff to try to get ourselves ready to have a productive week here with our guys and get ready to go. All of that stuff, you know, usually takes care of itself. There’s a time and a place for all of that, and I’ve gone through it before, which is helpful in terms of being able to balance that and multitask it. But, my focus here when I come into this building will always be on what’s best for the Patriots and trying to do what I can to help us prepare to play our best game the next time we go out on the field.”

3. So if McDaniels does leave for Indy or New York or wherever, what would the Patriots do for an offensive coordinator? There’s the possibility of the elevation of wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea. (O’Shea was also seen calling offensive signals this past preseason.) But as I wrote here, I’ve had two different league sources tell me that one of Belichick’s first calls would be to Alabama, where the former New England tight ends coach Brian Daboll is currently serving as the offensive coordinator for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. One more note: there’s also the possibility that McDaniels could take O’Shea with him to a new job to serve as his offensive coordinator. If that happens, that could also provide another scenario for the return of Daboll.