Drew Wilkins has secured a new position after serving as the New England Patriots’ assistant coach during the 2024 season. He is being hired by the Los Angeles Rams as their defensive pass rush coordinator, according to an NFL Network report by Ian Rapoport.
The 37-year-old Wilkins first came to New England during the offseason to work with the outside linebackers under the new defensive coordinator and head coach duo of DeMarcus Covington and Jerod Mayo. However, a significant issue facing his position group as a whole was the nearly constant turnover of personnel.
Only Jennings ended the season on the 53-man roster, despite Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, and Oshane Ximines being the top four in the rotation going into training camp. After Ximines tore his ACL in September, Judon and Uche were traded to Atlanta and Kansas City, respectively.
Following the season, Wilkins was let go by the Patriots’ new coaching staff, which included defensive coordinator Terrell Williams and head coach Mike Vrabel. Although no replacement has been named as of yet, it is thought that one of the three players Vrabel hired in the last few weeks—Zak Kuhr, Clinton McMillan, or Milton Patterson—will join the outside linebackers in 2025.
In the meantime, Wilkins will be coaching for the fourth time in five years. Before joining DC Wink Martindale at the New York Giants in 2022, he coached the Baltimore Ravens for the first 12 years of his NFL career. Wilkins moved to New England two years after Martindale left the Giants.
He is now on his way to Los Angeles to work with defensive coordinator Chris Shula and head coach Sean McVay. The Rams defeated the Patriots 28–22 as part of their 10–7 record in 2024.