BOSTON (WEEI.com) -- Here we go again, just a little earlier than usual.
Every year it seems Josh McDaniels’ name gets brought up when it comes to head-coaching vacancies across the NFL, and it’s already begun — a full five weeks before the regular season even comes to a close.
It’s no surprise because McDaniels is one of the best offensive coaches in the entire league and has been a huge part of the New England Patriots’ success over the years. But if McDaniels were going to leave the Patriots, it would have been last year. Heck, he pretty much did, he just changed his mind at the last minute to leave the Indianapolis Colts at the altar.
(Side note: He might actually be regretting that now. The Colts are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and have almost $125 million in cap space next season, setting themselves up to be one of the best teams for several years to come.)
It’s clear something pretty significant occurred after the Super Bowl to keep McDaniels in New England. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported at the start of this season that McDaniels was given a five-year contract and he’s being paid like a first-time head coach.
Tom Brady alluded to this a few weeks ago when McDaniels’ name was brought up following Hue Jackson being fired in Cleveland. Every time Brady was asked about McDaniels potentially taking a head-coaching job in previous years, he spoke to how talented he is and hoped they would stay together, but nothing as definitive as what he said last month.
“I know the Patriots want him coaching for us,” Brady said on the "Kirk & Callahan" show. “He’s under contract with our team for a long time, and that is a great thing for the Patriots.”
Also, McDaniels' relationship with Brady is something that will never be duplicated between quarterback and coordinator. The "Tom vs. Time" documentary showed how much the two actually communicate, which is multiple times a day, even when they aren’t at the facility. Brady could be driving and have an idea for a certain offensive package or play and immediately call McDaniels. It seems fitting Brady’s career in New England would finish with McDaniels as his coordinator.
The Cleveland Browns' and Green Bay Packers' potential head coach openings are getting the most buzz.
Green Bay isn’t as good a situation as it might seem. Sure, there isn’t much pressure and ownership wouldn’t in the way, but coaching Aaron Rodgers may not be as appealing as once thought. It’s pretty clear he’s a control freak and may not take well to coaching.
The Browns job may actually be more appealing given McDaniels’ reported interest in Baker Mayfield heading into the draft and Cleveland being McDaniels’ hometown team. But then again it’s the Browns. Does he really want to have his second, and maybe last, head-coaching gig to come in Cleveland?
McDaniels would like to be a head coach again, but it isn’t known if the Patriots have him pinned as Bill Belichick’s successor. It is also worth wondering if McDaniels wants to follow Belichick in New England, especially if Brady isn’t involved.
So, while McDaniels’ long-term future in New England may not be clear, it is pretty clear that he will be part of the organization next year. Don’t buy into the rumors: McDaniels is not going anywhere.