Dolphins to add Packers’ Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator

The Miami Dolphins are in a holding pattern when it comes to hiring their next head coach and his staff, having to wait until after the Super Bowl to be able to officially add Brian Flores as the team’s top coach. Flores, the New England Patriots’ linebackers coach and defensive play caller - their de facto defensive coordinator despite not having that title - will become the Dolphins’ tenth full-time head coach, and, while he is focused on the Patriots, he is also starting to build a staff.

Jim Caldwell, the former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach, has been linked to the Dolphins, likely being named the team’s assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. Now, another name has been linked to Miami.

Patrick Graham will join the Dolphins after spending the 2018 season with the Green Bay Packers as their linebackers coach and run-game coordinator. He was the defensive line coach for the New York Giants in 2016 and 2017, after spending the 2009 to 2015 seasons with the Patriots. In New England, he served as a defensive assistant coach, linebackers, coach, and defensive line coach.

The Dolphins could be looking to move to a 3-4 defensive system with Flores and Graham. The Patriots and Packers both utilize the scheme, and Miami could be looking to make the switch once they officially add their coach.

Miami is expected to complete a second interview with Flores this week. Under NFL rules, a team who completed a interview with a coaching candidate from a playoff team can conduct a second interview with the candidate during the bye week ahead of the Super Bowl should the candidate’s team make the championship game. Teams are not allowed to hire a coach as long as his team remains in the playoffs. The Dolphins and Flores are expected to discuss more of his coaching staff preferences during the second interview.