With the NFL offseason a full go for all 32 organizations, that means some teams are still looking to fully fill out their coaching staffs. There have been plenty of changes across the league, but don't expect any additional head-turning departures in East Rutherford. Not if NY Giants head coach Brian Daboll has anything to say about it.
It has been reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Dallas Cowboys put in an interview request for well-respected Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson. Patterson is incredible at his job, highlighted by the fantastic play of All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. As you might have been able to guess, Coach Dabes and the G-Men said no to the Dallas request:
And, the Giants now have denied the Cowboys’ request for permission to meet with their defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who was the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer. https://t.co/egLid6lFlE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2024
The Giants denied a Cowboys interview request with Andre Patterson
The reason why the Cowboys wanted to interview Patterson is because he was the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer. Zimmer was the Vikings head coach from 2014-2021 and was recently hired as the Cowboys new defensive coordinator.
This shows that Daboll is not messing around. Recently, it was reported that the Seahawks wanted to interview offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for the same position, but Daboll said no to that as well. That news came after the Seahawks passed up on Kafka for head coach and gave Mike Macdonald the job.
After the Giants went 6-11 in 2023 and lost to Dallas twice by a combined score of 89-17, Daboll needs a guy like Patterson to stick around for the future, as Big Blue is trying to get back on track next season. We've already seen plenty of coaches leave town already, highlighted by disgruntled defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
Martindale resigned and has since taken the DC spot at Michigan, while Daboll replaced him with Shane Bowen. Other coaches have been fired/taken opportunities elsewhere, but the Giants could not afford to lose Patterson, especially not to a divisional rival. Luckily, that's not going to happen.