Interesting press release from the League which I think impacts NE in a couple ways. The release reads in part:
"The resolution changes the current Anti-Tampering Policy by establishing a system that prohibits a club from denying 1) an assistant coach the opportunity to interview with a new team for a bona fide Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator, or Special Teams Coordinator position; (2) a non-high-level/non-secondary football executive from interviewing for a bona fide Assistant General Manager position. In either case, a contract could not be negotiated or signed until after the conclusion of the employer club's playing season; and 3) requires all clubs submit in writing an organizational reporting structure for the coaching staff with job descriptions for any coach who is a coordinator or co-coordinator within that structure. The resolution also requires that any dispute regarding whether the new team is offering a "bona fide" position will be submitted promptly to the Commissioner, whose determination shall be final, binding and not subject to further review."
I like these rules (not the change to the Rooney Rule, just the changes I've outlined above). I've always thought an assistant should be free to accept a promotion to coordinator elsewhere. (Under the old rules, you were only free to accept a promotion to HC). Also, it is interesting to note that teams have to formally declare the organizational structure of the coaching staff. So it looks like the days of not having an official defensive coordinator are numbered.