Report: Byron Leftwich interviewing for New England Patriots head coaching position

The New England Patriots are conducting an interview with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich for their head coaching job on Tuesday, per Mike Jones of The Athletic.

Leftwich, 44, is the latest to interview for the opening after Jerod Mayo‘s dismissal just hours after the Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Leftwich last served as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-22. Tampa Bay had success during his time calling plays, winning a Super Bowl in 2020 with Tom Brady under center. That season, the Buccaneers had the No. 7 ranked offense in the NFL. 2021 was even better, as Tampa Bay finished second in total offense behind only the Dallas Cowboys.

Then came the 2022 season. The offense sputtered for much of the season, averaging just 18.4 points per game. The Cowboys soundly defeated the Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round, and head coach Todd Bowles fired him just days later. Since then, Leftwich has been out of football.

WATCH Steelers vs. Ravens on Wild Card Weekend only on Prime Video by CLICKING HERE

“I felt it was time to move on,” Leftwich recently told Jones. “It was the first time we were out of the top five in offense. So, the fact that we were 15th allowed people to say, finally, ‘Does that guy really know what he’s doing? Can he do this?’ … That’s the nature of the business.”

Byron Leftwich ready for return to NFL sideline

But before that tumultuous 2022 campaign, Leftwich was a hot name on the coaching market. The former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback interviewed for their head coaching job after the 2021 season and a homecoming seemed possible. But according to Leftwich, Jacksonville never offered him the job. Instead, the Jaguars hired Doug Pederson, whom they fired Monday.

“I was willing and ready to take that [Jaguars] job,” Leftwich said. “That’s where I played, and I was very interested in trying to help that situation — all hands on deck — really trying to help that situation, because I know that city, I know the fan base and I thought that they had really good players down there that you can win football games with.”

Leftwich now looks for an opportunity to prove to teams he can still coach. He just needs someone to take a chance.

“Just give me the opportunity. Bring me in and see. Communicate with me, see if I’m the right type of leader you want,” Leftwich said. “Do your homework. See if I can lead men. … See if I know my X’s and O’s. See if I know people. See if I know what needs to be done to succeed at the job.”