Patriots assistant named as possible head coach candidate for 2026

New England Patriots tight ends/pass-game coordinator Thomas Brown was mentioned on NFL Network's Tom Pelissero's list of the league's young head coach candidates to know for 2026.

Brown was promoted to head coach of the Chicago Bears last season after only spending 18 days as the interim offensive coordinator. Those opportunities came after the firings of former Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus.

Brown has found immediate success in New England with the team currently having the seventh-best passing offense in the league, averaging 244.7 passing yards per game. Brown, along with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, has helped transform the offense entirely.

Pelissero wrote:

"When he interviewed for the Patriots' OC job later that month, Mike Vrabel was so impressed, he found a spot for Brown on staff. Brown is no stranger to the interview circuit, having spoken with the Dolphins, Texans, Titans and Bears about their head-coaching jobs over the past four Januarys, respectively. With the Patriots rolling, Brown could get a look again."

Brown is certainly one of the rising names in the coaching circuit, both in terms of what he did with the Bears and what he is currently helping the Patriots do. The best teams have historically had their coordinators move on to head coaching jobs.

Brown could be the next name to watch for the 2026 offseason.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots assistant named as possible head coach candidate for 2026