The New England Patriots’ coaching staff is not experiencing the sweeping changes of the last two years, but there is still turnover this offseason. Among the latest reported moves is the departure of defensive assistant Milton Patterson.
Patterson will not be back with the Patriots in 2026, as first noted by NFL reporter Joseph Pasteris.
A former linebacker at Jackson State, Patterson arrived in New England last offseason. He was one of four defensive assistants on Mike Vrabel’s first coaching staff with the team, joining Ben McAdoo, Kevin Richardson and Vinny DePalma. The latter has recently been promoted to inside linebackers coach in the aftermath of Zak Kuhr moving up from that role to defensive coordinator.
Before taking his talents to Foxborough, Patterson coached at several college programs including Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State and, most recently, Florida A&M. Working with the defensive line, linebackers and as a defensive coordinator for the Rattlers, he set the foundation for a jump to the NFL.
Patterson is the second known departure from the Patriots’ staff this offseason. Previously, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler left for an opportunity to become the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight ends coach.