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Mike Reiss, ESPN writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are moving forward with plans to promote defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
The Patriots have informed other candidates that Covington is the choice, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The move was expected as Covington, 34, enters his eighth season with the Patriots. He has worked closely with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, first as outside linebackers coach in 2019 and the last four seasons as defensive line coach.
Covington’s solid work with the defensive line was reflected, in part, in the Patriots allowing a league-low 3.3 yards per carry in 2023. Third-year defensive lineman Christian Barmore also emerged as an emerging star.
In a further reflection of Covington’s rise, the Arizona Cardinals had requested permission to interview him for their defensive coordinator vacancy last year. Covington also served as defensive coordinator in the Senior Bowl last season.
With Covington expected to be named the Patriots’ defensive coordinator, it increases the likelihood that much of the team’s defensive staff will remain intact, with the question lingering over what Steve Belichick and Brian Belichick, the sons of former coach Bill Belichick, decide to do.
Steve Belichick, the linebackers coach who called the plays in recent years, earned the opportunity to remain on the staff, according to Mayo. If he decides to stay, the projection is that he would be a senior aide/senior adviser to Mayo, with whom he has developed a close relationship over the past decade.
Brian Belichick, the safeties coach, also earned the opportunity to stay, Mayo said.
The Patriots are still interviewing candidates for offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, and that process is expected to accelerate with in-person interviews this week.
Sports Illustrated was the first to report on Covington’s long-awaited promotion.