Philadelphia Eagles to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for vacant head coaching job

The Philadelphia Eagles submitted a permission slip to interview PNew England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to Bo Wulf and Zac Jackson of The Athletic. The interview is set to take place in Florida on Sunday with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.

This will be McDaniels’ first interview of the 2021 hiring cycle, despite seven teams searching for new head coaches.

The Patriots’ long-time assistant has been a popular candidate in recent years, though, famously being announced as the Indianapolis Colts head man in 2018 before the deal fell through and he returned to New England. His last interviews came in 2020 when he met with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Carolina Panthers.

The 44-year-old has been a head coach before, leading the Denver Broncos in 2009 and part of 2010. Prior to accepting that job he had spent eight seasons in New England as an assistant. After his three-year hiatus he returned to the Patriots in 2012, and has served as the team’s offensive coordinator ever since.

The Eagles recently parted with their former head coach, Doug Pederson, who led them to a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in February 2018. The move came after a turbulent 4-11-1 season that concluded with reports of distrust between the ownership and team and saw a major decline in play from starting quarterback Carson Wentz.

McDaniels will not be the first Patriots assistant to speak with the Eagles about Pederson’s former job: inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo was interviewed by the organization on Friday.