Shane Bowen was floated as a possible candidate for the New England Patriots' then-vacant defensive coordinator position in February.
Zak Kuhr was ultimately hired for the post after taking over as the team's defensive play-caller following Terrell Williams’ prostate cancer diagnosis last fall, but Bowen is now reportedly joining New England in a different role.
"The Patriots are hiring former Giants and Titans DC Shane Bowen as a defensive analyst, source said. He is back with Mike Vrabel after a stint together in Tennessee," NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport posted on Bluesky.
The Patriots are hiring former Giants and Titans DC Shane Bowen as a defensive analyst, source said. He is back with Mike Vrabel after a stint together in Tennessee.
[image or embed]
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet.bsky.social) April 10, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Bowen and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel have worked together for years.
The former was a defensive assistant with the Houston Texans in 2016 and 2017, while the latter served as the team’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator during those two seasons, respectively.
Bowen and Vrabel then joined the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2018 campaign, with the former working as the group's outside linebackers coach and the two-time AP Coach of the Year serving as the team's lead man.
Vrabel promoted Bowen to defensive coordinator in 2021 and the pair stayed together with Tennessee through the 2023 season.
The 39-year-old Bowen was the New York Giants' defensive coordinator for the last two campaigns before being fired in November, one day after the team’s Week 12 loss vs. the Detroit Lions.
More NFL: Patriots Host Dual Threat Quarterback For Visit Less Than Two Weeks Before Draft