Caley, who was on the Patriots’ coaching staff from 2015 to 2022, was “offered the Patriots offensive coordinator job… at a very competitive salary” by new head coach Jerod Mayo, Breer reported Tuesday night. However, Caley rejected down his previous job.

“It was tough to say no,” Breer wrote. “But Caley had such a good experience last year with the Rams, that the idea of leaving was more difficult than turning down a coordinator job.”
According to Breer, Rams head coach Sean McVay was “ecstatic” that Caley elected to stay and rewarded him by giving him the role of pass game coordinator, which was previously held by Zac Robinson, who left to become the Atlanta Falcons’ OC.

At first look, it’s surprising why Caley would prefer to remain a position coach rather than take over as offensive coordinator for the Patriots. It begs the question of how the organization is seen outside of New England, and whether some coaches are hesitant to join a team that finished 4-13 last season with the NFL’s worst offense and is undergoing big changes after parting company with Bill Belichick.

While that may have influenced Caley’s decision, it appears that it was motivated by his pleasant experience in Los Angeles rather than any animosity toward New England. And the situation may have worked out nicely for both parties, as Van Pelt adds valuable knowledge to a new-look coaching staff that Caley could not have supplied.