A New England Patriots helmet is seen on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills. A New England Patriots helmet rests on the bench during the first half of Sunday’s NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots were busy on Super Sunday, adding two assistant coaches before the start of Super Bowl LVIII. Former Ravens and Giants outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins has been hired to fill the same position in New England, according to NFL Network.
Wilkins spent the last two seasons in New York and was fired last month along with former Giants and Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Before sending Martindale to New York in 2022, Wilkins coached 12 seasons in Baltimore, including two as an outside coach. With the Patriots, he will be reunited with four-time Pro Bowler Matt Judon.
Wilkins coached Judon to Baltimore’s first two Pro Bowls. Wilkins originally started as an intern in video operations with the Ravens and then rose through the ranks to become an assistant coach in 2013, working primarily with the linebackers and defensive linemen.
In New England, Wilkins will work with new Patriots coach Donta Hightower, whose return and hiring were announced Friday.The Patriots have expanded their offensive staff by hiring a new assistant for wide receivers coach Tyquan Underwood, according to multiple reports.
Underwood was a teammate of new head coach Jerod Mayo during the Patriots’ 2011 season, during which he became known for his stunning haircut and famous release the night before Super Bowl XLVI.Since then, Underwood has transitioned into coaching, working with college wide receivers at Pitt and Rutgers over the past four seasons.
The 36-year-old was the only offensive assistant left at Pitt this winter after guiding Panthers running back Jared Wayne to a 1,000-yard campaign.It is unknown who will coach the Patriots next season. Troy Brown has held that role for the past three years, but it’s unknown if Brown will stay or move on. The Pats lost wide receivers coach Ross Douglas midseason to Syracuse and haven’t replaced him.
But now it looks like Underwood has taken over her role. Underwood is joined by new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach T.J. McCartney, offensive line coach Scott Peters, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler and senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo are on the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff.
Massachusetts could see “impressive winter snowstorms” and “bombardment” events cannot be ruled out.Forecasters are eyeing the possibility of a “severe winter storm” hitting the Northeast early next week. “The possibility of an explosion cannot be ruled out.”
