Earlier today, the Indianapolis Colts announced that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was becoming the club's new head coach. Well, not so fast: According to a stunning report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, McDaniels will not leave New England and instead stay with the Patriots:
Stunner: Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels has decided NOT to accept Colts’ HC job and will remain with New England, sources told ESPN.
The move comes out of the blue, especially for everyone outside of New England. With McDaniels staying the Patriots' offensive coordinator, the team will at least have stability on one side of the football after Matt Patricia left yesterday to become head coach of the Detroit Lions.
Schefter also notes “Patriots owner Robert Kraft began talking with Josh McDaniels and ultimately wound up sweetening his contract, helping to entice him to remain in New England.”
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, McDaniels’ decision to stay is due to “clarity on Bill Belichick’s status in New England (Belichick is locked in to coach Patriots in 2018) and stability for family.” It remains to be seen if that clarity on Belichick’s status is because Belichick is staying around beyond 2018, or that Belichick might be leaving after 2018 and McDaniels is the coach-in-waiting.
It is likely McDaniels’ new deal with the Patriots solidifies his position as the eventual heir to Belichick because he will be a difficult sell for future head coaching jobs after backing out of the Colts job in the 13th hour.
McDaniels staying in New England has ramifications all across the board: Wide receiver coach Chad O'Shea will likely not be promoted to offensive coordinator, while both assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski and special teams coach Joe Judge will not follow McDaniels to Indianapolis.