Conventional wisdom seemed to point to Josh McDaniels seeking greener pastures this offseason. But apparently that might not be the case.
The NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel has released its annual preliminary list of recommended candidates to fill head-coaching vacancies, and that list did not include the New England Patriots offensive coordinator, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.
Here’s the reason, per Florio: “As one source explained it, McDaniels was left (off) 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.”
This report runs counter to a September report that McDaniels plans to leave the Patriots in 2017 to pursue a head-coaching job. The 40-year-old has one ill-fated head-coaching stint under his belt, going 11-17 with the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010, but he certainly has the pedigree to land another NFL job.
Of course, McDaniels’ exclusion from this preliminary list doesn’t guarantee anything. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is on the list as a recommended candidate, but he only would be available if he decided to leave the Wolverines next season, which seems highly unlikely.
The panel’s list did include Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who hasn’t popped up much in head coach rumors but currently is in his fifth year as the leader of New England’s D.
Several other NFL coordinators, including Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, also were on the list.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
