Former Patriot Senses Ulterior Motive For Initial Coach Interviews

New England conducted two head-coaching interviews Tuesday, but one former Patriot seems to believe neither candidate has an actual shot at landing the job.

Two days after firing head coach Jerod Mayo, the Patriots announced they completed interviews with Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton for the vacant position. Both Leftwich and Hamilton have a wealth of NFL coaching experience, but former cornerback Darius Butler seemingly thinks they were brought to Foxboro, Mass., for a specific reason.

Butler, a 2009 second-round pick by New England, reacted to the interview news with a GIF that questioned the Patriots’ intentions. The Leftwich and Hamilton interviews satisfied the NFL’s “Rooney Rule” for the Patriots, who are set to speak with reported frontrunner Mike Vrabel on Thursday. In theory, New England could sign Vrabel and make him Mayo’s successor before he leaves the building.

The UConn product wasn’t the only noteworthy NFL pundit who thought the Patriots’ interviews with Leftwich and Hamilton weren’t completed in the greatest faith. FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz accused New England of getting a “formality out of the way” before its interview with Vrabel.

The Patriots also reportedly requested to interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who will be able to speak with teams between Thursday and Saturday before Detroit prepares for its playoff opener.