NFL Combine Day 1 updates: O'Brien, Klemm, Patricia and Tee Higgins topics in Indy

Updating newsier bits from the first day of access in Indianapolis. Tuesday and Wednesday are heavy on coaches and executives speaking from the podium.

• Josh McDaniels was asked about Bill O'Brien, who worked under McDaniels with the Patriots before taking over for him, and the two are still close.

"When we added Billy back in 2007, the guy came from college and really wanted to make it in the NFL," McDaniels told reporters. "And so it was apparent right away, how hard he worked, how smart he was. And you could give him a lot of responsibility and he could handle it. And so, really all the things that Billy has accomplished and achieved since then haven't surprised me at all. Being successful as a coordinator in New England, winning at Penn State, winning in Houston, going down to Alabama and being part of their success there, none of that has surprised me. So he's a great football coach, extremely hard worker, and a lot of confidence that Billy, Billy is going to do well, wherever he's at. Obviously now that's in New England.

"Billy's worked with a lot of quarterbacks before and they've all had success and he's impacted all those guys in a positive way so knows the position really well, understands the league understands how to get the most out of players at this level so he's going to do a great job."

• New Steelers GM Omar Khan said he was impressed with new Patriots line coach Adrian Klemm during his time in Pittsburgh.

“Adrian was great,” Khan told reporters. “I loved my interactions with him. We had great conversations and hearing about his sons was great, they were around all the time. Just a good person to be around. Really enjoyed our time with him.

“I loved his energy, and his honesty and his demeanor were great."

• Matt Patricia is still in the running for a job with the Broncos, Sean Payton told reporters.

On interviewing Matt Patricia for the defensive coordinator

"I interviewed Matt. There's a number of reports. Yeah, he was--he's outstanding. I've known him for a long time. We practiced against the Patriots. I think he's extremely talented. He's a guy--I think they've won five Super Bowls while he was calling defenses. That was easy. I knew right away I wanted to interview Matt. I knew right away, I wanted to interview  Vance [Joseph]. I've known those guys. And then I thought, man, Rex [Ryan] made a lot of sense. It is funny you come to this combine--it's been three years for me--and there are a lot of younger faces. Every year, you recognize fewer and fewer [faces]. Then pretty soon, you just don't come anymore. But Sean Desai was someone I knew I wanted to visit with. He was in Chicago with Ryan Pace and with  Vic [Fangio]. (Laughing) Vic was supposed to be part of the plan and then you guys scared him away."

On if Patricia could still join the team in another role

"That's a fair question. I would say it's a little early to answer that. The question was, do I still possibly envision a role for Matt ? We just got here. He and I are going to talk this week. I wouldn't rule that out though if that were to possibly--if that possibly came to fruition, it would be for a few things. I'd certainly want to talk to Vance [Joseph] and our defensive coaches. I know Matt well enough to know how smart he is and what he can contribute. We'll see."

Player nuggets

• Mike Reiss reported the Patriots are going to work out former Alabama slot receiver and Mac Jones roommate Slade Bolden.
• Giants are releasing WR Kenny Golladay.
• Broncos GM George Paton said they have not made a determination on Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option and future with the club. He could be a trade candidate if Payton doesn't want the former first-round pick. "Rally happy with how Jerry finished off the season, you know, especially the last couple of games," he told reporters. "We make those decisions I believe in May, you know, right near the draft, we'll make that decision but really happy with where Jerry's at."

Will add more below as the news comes.

BSJ ANALYSIS