Josh McDaniels seemed like he was committing to the New England Patriots for the long-term when he infamously backed out of a deal to become the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts last year, but the offensive coordinator may test the job market again this offseason.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media on Sunday listed McDaniels as a potential candidate for the Cleveland Browns job, and he reported that McDaniels is “open to potential head coaching opportunities.”
As the Browns map out their coaching search, two tidbits from @NFLGameDay: I'd be surprised GM John Dorsey used a search firm this time, and #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is believed to be open to considering opportunities again. pic.twitter.com/98GPWpkMxe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2018
Patriots owner Robert Kraft enticed McDaniels to return to New England by making him the highest-paid OC in football, and many assumed the deal also came with an understanding that he is the coach-in-waiting behind Bill Belichick. However, it’s possible that Kraft just wanted McDaniels to stay since his relationship with Tom Brady is so strong, and Brady and Belichick have seemingly been on rocky ground in recent seasons.
Any team that considers hiring McDaniels would have to proceed with caution after what he did to the Colts last year, but he’s almost certainly going to be a head coach in the NFL again one day. With one of the most popular Browns candidates recently downplaying his interest in the job, McDaniels is among a long list of names to keep an eye on.
