Patriots expected to hire DeMarcus Covington as their next defensive coordinator

The New England Patriots are keeping it in-house for their defensive coordinator job.

The Patriots are expected to hire defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington as their next defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday, per sources.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer first reported the news.

Covington, 34, becomes new head coach Jerod Mayo's first staff hire.

Covington was hired by New England as a coaching assistant in 2017 and promoted to defensive line coach in 2020. He served as the defensive coordinator in last year's Senior Bowl and will now be the coordinator for the Patriots in 2024.

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was the defensive play-caller in 2023 and was the team's de facto DC for his final six years there, as Matt Patricia was the last to hold the defensive coordinator title back in 2017.

Covington steps into the coordinator job with a unit that held opponents to 21.5 points per game. Covington will get an opportunity to lead Christian Barmore, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Christian Gonzalez and others after a 4-13 season. Gonzalez, a first-round pick in 2023, suffered a torn labrum in Week 4.

After a disappointing season, New England holds the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. As Mayo enters his first draft as head coach, the Patriots must decide if they will select a quarterback to join the new regime heading into the 2024 season, as well as where they'll add to Covington's defense.