New England Patriots to Interview Minnesota Vikings Receivers Coach for OC

The New England Patriots have begun scouring the league for someone to turn around their middling offense. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team has requested to interview Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell for their offensive coordinator vacancy.

The #Patriots have requested permission to speak with #Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell for their OC position, sources say. He joins a growing list of candidates that also includes #Bama OC Bill O'Brien.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2023

McCardell was a two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who played an impressive 16 years in the NFL, compiling 11373 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns. He moved to coaching in 2010, eventually working his way up to wide receivers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017 before joining the Vikings in the same position in 2021. His arrival with the team coincided with an incredible two-year run by wide receiver Justin Jefferson that included 3425 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

The 2022 Patriots missed the playoffs for only the fifth time since head coach Bill Belichick's arrival in 2000. An offense that ranked 17th in points scored and 26th in yards gained was largely to blame. The Patriots declined to name an offensive coordinator last season, instead splitting the duties between offensive line coach Matt Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge. Clearly, they're opting for a more traditional route in 2023.