Patriots look to extend Mayo, seeking offensive coordinator

By KYLE HIGHTOWER The Associated Press

FILE - New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo faces reporters, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at the NFL football team's stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. The Carolina Panthers have requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo bringing the number of known candidates for the team’s head coaching vacancy to 10, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, on condition of anonymity because the team does not make its coaching search public. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steven Senne]

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots have started discussions for a long-term contract extension with linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and Bill Belichick will also begin interviewing candidates for offensive coordinator next week. The announcements by the team come on the heels of Mayo being sought for the second straight offseason for interviews for one of the NFL’s open head coaching jobs. The Patriots are looking to hire their first offensive coordinator since Josh McDaniels left following the 2021 season to take the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job.