Patriots request second interview with Rams coach for offensive coordinator job

The Patriots are planning to host Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley for a second offensive coordinator interview Sunday, according to the NFL Network.

Caley was the first candidate to interview last Monday. He is an ex-Patriots assistant who spent eight of his nine NFL seasons in New England before leaving for Los Angeles last year. Caley also coached tight ends for the Patriots, who interviewed him virtually Monday.

Caley fits the profile of most candidates to interview for the job thus far: assistants with experience under Rams coach Sean McVay. The Patriots have also met with Rams quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator Zac Robinson, Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and newly hired offensive coordinators Dan Pitcher and Shane Waldron, who landed with the Bengals and Bears, respectively, this week. Caley is the only candidate with prior experience in New England.

According to the NFL Network, Caley won’t be alone en route to Foxboro. The Patriots also plan on interviewing Rams assistant special teams coach Jeremy Springer on Sunday for their special teams coordinator job. Springer is one of three assistants to interview for the position, after Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams and ex-Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.

On Friday, the NFL Network also reported the Patriots plan to interview Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand for their offensive coordinator job. Engstrand is a four-year NFL coach who worked with Detroit’s tight ends last year after spending his first two seasons as an offensive assistant. Engstrand also spent time in the XFL as an offensive coordinator and in college at the University of Michigan (2018) and University of San Diego (2005-17).