Patricia interviews to return to defensive side of ball

Matt Patricia won’t reprise his role as the Patriots’ unofficial offensive coordinator in 2023, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll do it elsewhere, either.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Patricia interviewed with the Broncos about the vacant defensive coordinator job on new head coach Sean Payton’s staff.

Patricia, the former Lions head coach, was “assessing his future” in January after his much-publicized struggles at the helm of the Patriots’ offense last season. Taking a job on the opposite side of the ball would be a return to the roots he built his career on.

Belichick this offseason re-hired Bill O’Brien as the offensive coordinator, a role he served in with the Patriots in 2011. That move left Patricia’s future with the team even murkier than before.

A defensive coordinator job with the Broncos on Payton’s first Denver staff is no gimme, either. Former Jets and Bills head coach Rex Ryan is considered a top option, with former Denver coach Vance Joseph in the running as well.

TITANS: New general manager Ran Carthon started clearing up some much-needed salary cap space Wednesday.

The Titans announced they released three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan for a failed physical and also released veteran wide receiver Robert Woods and kicker Randy Bullock. They later released linebacker Zach Cunningham also for failing a physical.

EAGLES: Josh Sills, a reserve offensive lineman for the NFC champion Eagles will make his initial court appearance in Ohio on rape and kidnapping charges next month after waiving his arraignment in the case.

STEELERS: Aaron Curry is the new inside linebackers coach for the Steelers, the team announced. Curry spent the past four years working in various roles for the Seahawks, including assistant defensive line/defensive ends coach in 2022..