New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is conducting interviews to find coordinators for all three phases of the game. Among the candidates being considered for the defensive coordinator position is Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Gerald Alexander, as reported by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Alexander, a 39-year-old with both NFL-level playing and coaching experience, offers a valuable perspective to the Patriots. He was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and went on to have a journeyman career, playing for several teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets before retiring after the 2011 season. Alexander appeared in a total of 44 games, registering four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

In 2013, Alexander began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant at Arkansas State. He later worked at various universities such as Washington, Indiana State, Montana State, and Cal, while also interning for the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2020, Alexander made the jump to the NFL, coaching the Miami Dolphins' defensive backs under Brian Flores. Two years later, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as an assistant defensive backs coach.

Though Alexander is one of the five candidates being considered for the Patriots' defensive coordinator position, the favorite for the promotion is believed to be DeMarcus Covington, New England's current defensive line coach. In addition to Alexander, other coaches under consideration include Tem Lukabu, the Carolina Panthers' outside linebackers coach, Christian Parker, the Denver Broncos' defensive backs coach, and Michael Hodges, the New Orleans Saints' linebackers coach.

As the Patriots continue their search for the ideal candidate, the decision for their defensive coordinator position remains uncertain. Nevertheless, with experienced coaches like Gerald Alexander in consideration, the team is poised to make a strong choice to lead their defense in the upcoming season.