The former Patriots outside linebackers coach has landed a gig on Sean McVay’s staff, according to NFL Network. Wilkins will serve as the “defensive pass rush coordinator” for the Rams. A new addition to Jerod Mayo’s staff last season, the assistant only spent one season in New England.
Wilkins began his coaching career with the Ravens in 2010 and stuck around there for 12 years. He began as an intern out of college and worked his way up to outside linebackers coach (2018-21) before departing following the 2021 season. Wilkins then spent two seasons coaching outside linebackers for the Giants before landing the same gig in Foxborough last offseason.
Despite the uncertainty around his future, Wilkins had been staying busy in January. He served as the East team’s defensive coordinator in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl and fared quite well, as his defense pitched a 25-0 shutout in a win over the West.
In November, Wilkins was tabbed as a “rising defensive coach” on Sports Illustrated’s list of future head coaching candidates, but deflected
“Like anything like that, it’s about your players who put you in those positions and the coaches you’re with. I’ve been really fortunate over the years to be with great mentors as coaches and then really great players,” Wilkins said. “Truly, throughout my time in Baltimore, New York, and here, it’s the players that create those successes and those narratives for any coach.
We’re just a product of the guys who put in the hard work. Try to lead them in the right direction but ultimately these guys are the ones that are out there doing it. You just try to support those guys, encourage those guys, motivate those guys the best you can so it’s really, feel a lot of gratitude when you hear something like that for the people that have put you in those positions.”