Who is Nick Caley, and why do the Patriots see him as a potential offensive coordinator?

Nick Caley is one of the nine reported offensive coordinator candidates being considered by the New England Patriots. Caley has spent eight years on the Patriots staff under head coach Bill Belichick. He already had a virtual meeting with the team and is currently in town for an in-person interview. Caley, who is currently the Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach, has a background in coaching and playing. He started as a student assistant at John Carroll University and has worked at various universities before joining the Patriots as an offensive coaching assistant in 2015. He moved up to tight ends coach in 2017 and worked with Pro Bowlers Rob Gronkowski and James Develin. In 2023, Caley joined the Rams as their tight ends coach. He has familiarity with the Patriots' coaching staff, having worked with new head coach Jerod Mayo for four years. Caley has experience in both the Patriots' system and the Shanahan offense, which Mayo is interested in incorporating into the Patriots' offense. While other candidates lack experience in New England, this factor might play into Mayo's decision as a first-time head coach.