While the Patriots were busy punching their ticket to the AFC Championship Game with a 28-16 win over the Texans, one of their key assistant coaches was making headlines off the field.
Tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown is expected to interview for the Los Angeles Chargers’ open offensive coordinator position, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The vacancy in L.A. comes on the heels of the Chargers’ offensive struggles in their wild card loss-ironically, a game in which they managed just three points against the very team Brown currently coaches for.
This isn’t Brown’s first look this hiring cycle. The Arizona Cardinals previously requested to interview him for their head coaching job, a sign that league executives are taking serious notice of his rising stock.
At 39, Brown brings a résumé that’s both diverse and impressive. A former NFL running back who was drafted by the Falcons in 2008, he transitioned into coaching and has since built a reputation for his offensive acumen.
Between 2020 and 2024, he held key roles with the Rams, Panthers, and Bears. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in Super Bowl LVI and later served as offensive coordinator in both Carolina and Chicago.
In fact, he even stepped in as interim head coach for the Bears after Matt Eberflus was let go in 2024.
This past offseason, Brown joined Mike Vrabel’s staff in New England, working alongside offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The result?
One of the league’s most efficient and well-balanced passing attacks. Brown’s fingerprints are all over the Patriots' offensive resurgence, particularly in the development of tight end Hunter Henry, who just turned in the most productive season of his career under Brown’s guidance.
NFL rules prevent Brown from interviewing with the Chargers until after the AFC Championship Game, meaning the earliest he could sit down with L.A. brass is January 26. That gives the Patriots a little more time with one of their most valuable assistants as they prepare for a high-stakes matchup in Denver.
If Brown does land the Chargers job, it would be a significant move for both him and a Los Angeles team in desperate need of offensive identity. But for now, his focus remains on helping New England chase another Lombardi Trophy.