A year later, after the least productive season of his career, Daniels would probably take those words back. If the veteran defensive tackle was hindered by injuries in 2019, he also feels he was limited by a lack of playing time.
Daniels averaged just 23 defensive snaps per game for Detroit, compared to 41 per game over his previous five seasons in Green Bay. Out of his nine games last season, he played more than half the defensive snaps once. He finished with 10 tackles and one sack.
Daniels referenced a stat from Pro Football Focus that said he won most of his pass rushes.
"That’s just a testament to the player I am. Regardless of my situation, I’m going to come out and give everything I have, play as hard as I can, and that showed (last) year. Obviously I didn’t get hardly any opportunities to show what I could do, but at the same time, what chances I did get, I made the most of it. ...
"It's good to show that, hey, I’m still out here, I’m still balling, still kicking butt. And like I said, I didn’t control my playing time."
Daniels, a Pro Bowler in 2017, signed a $9.1 million deal with Detroit last offseason shortly after he was cut by Green Bay. At that price, he figured to be a big part of Patricia's plans. And maybe that was the hope. But Daniels suffered a foot injury in Week 3, didn't return until Week 10 and by then it was too late. He ended the year on injured reserve with an arm injury.
The whole thing was emblematic of a hugely disappointing season for Detroit's defensive line. And for Daniels, it sounds like Patricia's scheme -- a scheme he was so fired up to join -- was a problem.
"Like I said, wherever I go, I’m gonna go and play ball because I love the game. Regardless of what scheme, whether it’s a competent scheme or not, I’m gonna play, I’m gonna love the game," he said. "That’s what I do, that’s who I am, and I'm going to give everything I have.
"The locker room was awesome, definitely enjoyed my teammates there. That was one of the hardest group of guys I’ve ever played with. It’s unfortunate things went the way they went outside of a lot of guys’ control."
Daniels' comments on the locker room do bode well for Patricia. The buy-in from the players was better in 2019 than it was in 2018, and it should continue to improve this year.
"When you really see just how hard those guys were working, it was very encouraging," Daniels said. "That locker room was definitely amazing and one of the better ones (I've been) a part of. That was a really good defensive family over there, man. I truly enjoyed my time with those guys."
Now a free agent, Daniels said he's received some "soft interest" from various teams. The coronavirus has slowed down the second wave of free agency, but Daniels will surely find a home in 2020.
One place he'd consider? Green Bay.
"That’s my home," said Daniels. "I played there for seven years, man. I had a really stellar career there. That’s definitely a team I would love to go back to."
As for Detroit, probably not.