/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58329331/904660108.jpg.0.jpg)
The Tennessee Titans ownership expressed their support for head coach Mike Mularkey after his team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on wild card weekend. After a year of Mularkey on the hot seat, the playoff victory forced the ownership to commit to Mularkey for the 2018 season.
Well, that commitment ended the following week as ESPN’s Field Yates reports the Titans have parted ways with Mularkey, adding another coaching vacancy to the mix- and one that should have New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels extremely interested.
The separation with Mularkey is similar to the Detroit Lions’ decision to part ways with Jim Caldwell. There’s no animosity or disappointment on either side, but after these coaches stabilized the franchise, the ownership realized they wouldn’t be able to take the team any further than a few sporadic trips to the postseason.
The Lions are expected to task New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia with leading the team to the promised land. The Titans should do the same with McDaniels.
There are a lot of parallels between the two teams, too. Both have former Patriots executives at general manager, which should be enticing to Bill Belichick acolytes. They both have franchise quarterbacks, the lack of growth from Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota a major reason for cutting ties with Mularkey. And both teams have a lot of potential on defense.
McDaniels is a finalist for both the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts jobs, but he has hesitations with both. He is concerned about the dynamic he’ll have with Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, while he’s nervous about the health of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
There are none of those concerns with the Titans. They are a great fit for him. Go bring the Titans to the promised land, Josh.
Update: Yeah, McDaniels is gonna go to Tennesse.
So Josh McDaniels goes from being a favorite in Indianapolis....to being a favorite in Tennessee. McDaniels will be getting an HC job.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2018
The belief was that #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels would prefer the #Titans over all coaching jobs. The health of Andrew Luck was an issue, as was the high ceiling with Marcus Mariota.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2018
Mike Mularkey and Titans are no longer, as @FieldYates reports, and now @Patriots OC Josh McDaniels has a change of landscape while prepping for @Jaguars, the AFC South champion. You can bet Eagles DC Jim Schwartz has his agent on phone but McDaniels looms large here.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 15, 2018