The New England Patriots are set to hire Mike Smith as their new outside linebackers coach, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Wednesday.
Smith has had a lengthy coaching career that goes all the way back to his work as a linebackers coach in 2009 at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He most recently served as the Minnesota Vikings outside linebackers coach and pass rush specialist from 2022-2023.
It marks another move this week as coach Mike Vrabel continues to fill out his new coaching staff. The team most recently hired Todd Downing as the new wide receivers coach.
The Patriots are hiring Mike Smith to coach their outside linebackers, per sources.
Smith played for the Ravens (2005-2008). Broke into the NFL as a coaching intern in 2011 with the Jets, and most recently coached OLBs with the Packers (2019-2021) and Vikings (2022-2023).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 5, 2025
Smith brings a ton of coaching experience to the outside linebacker position.
Linebacker was a weak spot on the defense for the Patriots for a myriad of reasons last season, including the injury to team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley. The team hopes to turn things around with a more experienced coaching staff in 2025.
