Aside from defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the New England Patriots could lose linebackers coach Brian Flores to other teams hunting for new head coaches. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the arizona cardinals have requested the Patriots to allow them to interview Flores and Patricia for their head coaching job, which became vacant after Bruce Arians announced his retirement from coaching. Flores is seen as heir-apparent to the 43-year-old Patricia, who also drew interest from the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.

However, the 36-year-old Flores could also leave the Patriots if ever he’s selected as head coach of the Cardinals.

Flores has worked his way up with Patriots

A former Boston College linebacker from 1999 to 2003, the 36-year-old Flores joined the Patriots directly out of college as a scouting assistant in 2004 and became a pro scout from 2006 to 2007 before moving to the coaching world. He first ventured into coaching as an assistant with special teams from 2008 to 2010 and in offense in 2010. Flores was named defensive assistant in 2011 before being promoted to safeties coach from 2012-15. In 2016, he took over the linebackers coach position after Patrick Graham joined the New York Giants. Flores has been a part of three Patriots’ Super Bowl championship teams, two of them coming as a member of the coaching staff.

Giants, Lions interested in McDaniels, Patricia

Schefter reported that the Giants have asked the Patriots permission to interview Patricia and McDaniels for their head-coaching vacancy. The Giants are in search of a head coach after firing Ben McAdoo on December 4. Also, Patricia is seen as favorite to replace Jim Caldwell, who was fired by the Lions after missing the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts is also interested in the 41-year-old McDaniels as a replacement for Chuck Pagano, who was dismissed after a 4-12 season. McDaniels started his coaching career with the Patriots but has a head-coaching experience with the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010. Like McDaniels, Patricia began his coaching career also with the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2004.

Patricia was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012.

The interviews involving the Patriots coaching staff could happen during the bye week, based on NFL rules. Michael Lombardi, a former Patriots assistant to the coaching staff, said the interviews would likely to take place on Saturday in the Foxborough area.