The addition of Matt Patricia and Paul Pasqualoni has had less than impressive results so far for the defense, but at least some of that can be attributed to the change in scheme the team started to begin 2018. Teryl Austin’s 4-3 scheme required the team keep lean and fast linebackers, a big reason that DeAndre Levy thrived in that scheme and that Jarrad Davis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin were drafted for it.
Patricia’s scheme, which was carried over from his time working with Bill Belichick, requires linebackers who are larger and prioritizes gap discipline over speed and elite athleticism.