The New England Patriots continue to bolster their coaching staff, showing a penchant for bringing in individuals connected to former players like Jerod Mayo. Among the latest additions is Tiquan Underwood, a former NFL wide receiver with ties to the Patriots organization. According to a report by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Underwood is currently in the process of joining the team as the new assistant wide receivers coach.
Underwood, aged 36, began his professional football career in 2009 after being drafted in the seventh round from Rutgers University. He initially played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before making the switch to the Patriots in 2011, coinciding with Mayo’s tenure on the team. Despite his brief stint in New England, Underwood’s on-field contributions were modest, amounting to just three receptions for 30 yards across eight games during his sole season with the Patriots. However, he garnered attention for his involvement in a highly publicized altercation between quarterback Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, as well as his release on the eve of Super Bowl XLVI.
Following his time with the Patriots, Underwood continued his NFL career with spells at Tampa Bay and Carolina, accumulating a total of 63 receptions for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns before transitioning to the Canadian Football League (CFL). Subsequently, in 2018, he shifted gears to coaching, initially serving as the wide receivers coach at Lafayette College. He later held coaching positions with the Miami Dolphins and Rutgers University before assuming the role of wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh in 2022.
Now, after a tenure with the Panthers, Underwood is poised to make a return to the NFL coaching scene, specifically rejoining the Patriots organization where he once played. His experience both as a player and a coach, along with his familiarity with the team, positions him as a valuable addition to New England’s coaching staff.
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