NFL Insider Shoots Down Patriots Link To This OC Candidate

The Internet streets are buzzing with names of possible candidates to be the next New England Patriots offensive coordinator.

Some rumors are more legitimate than others, and it looks like Patriots fans shouldn’t get excited about one name they might be hearing when it comes to the vacant offensive coordinator job.

Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager on Tuesday rejected the notion that there is a connection between the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

“Seeing multiple rumors online of Rams OC Mike LaFleur being linked to… New England,” Schrager wrote on the X platform. “Not to be the Internet police, but that’s not happening.”

It’s not really a surprise to see Schrager pour cold water all over the LaFleur to the Patriots rumors. It would take a lot for LaFleur to make a lateral move and join New England, especially since he’s in a terrific spot under Rams head coach Sean McVay.

LaFleur also doesn’t have any connection to Mike Vrabel, which seems like something Vrabel is looking for as he puts his coaching staff together. LaFleur’s brother, Matt, worked as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans for one season before becoming the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

LaFleur served as the Rams offensive coordinator the past two seasons and held the same title with the New York Jets for two seasons as well.

LaFleur got his start in the NFL in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive intern before becoming an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons the next two seasons. He then moved on to the San Francisco 49ers and was their passing game coordinator for four seasons while also coaching wide receivers.

Given the craze around McVay’s offensive system, LaFleur likely will get head coaching consideration in the near future. But for the time being, he has no reason to leave Los Angeles.