New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should be the hottest item on the coaching market this offseason. His work in the 2014 playoffs and with QB Jimmy Garoppolo and QB Jacoby Brissett to start the 2016 season is justification enough to hand him the keys of your franchise.
But teams won’t be considering McDaniels this offseason- and it’s because McDaniels wants to stay in New England, according to Pro Football Talk.
“Every year, the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel compiles a list of recommended candidates for the inevitable coaching and G.M. vacancies,” Mike Florio writes, noting that Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is on the list.
“One omission that will raise eyebrows is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, especially since Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is on the list,” Florio adds. “As one source explained it, McDaniels was left of [sic] the list because the thinking is that he’s intent on staying at New England until coach Bill Belichick retires, succeeding Belichick as the team’s head coach.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is 64 years old and arguably has another decade of coaching left. McDaniels is only 40 years old and would be one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL if he were to get a new job. Even if he waits another decade, McDaniels could be one of the younger head coaches.
Now it’s obvious that McDaniels isn’t actually handcuffed to the Patriots. If some team offers him the moon, he’d be crazy not to jump at the opportunity. But McDaniels has been one of the most valuable coaches for the Patriots and his contributions and familiarity with the organization makes him an ideal long term replacement candidate for Belichick.
Can Belichick impart all of his team-building expertise to McDaniels over the next however-many years? Maybe. Or perhaps McDaniels and director of player personnel Nick Caserio will be a dream duo for years to follow.