Josh McDaniels is surprisingly absent from the head coaching carousel
The NFL’s coaching carousel is underway, and we’re seeing new names (Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll) and old names (Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy) getting interviews for top jobs. But there’s one typically hot name that’s not in the mix. New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has not appeared on anyone’s radar for a head coaching vacancy.
The coach is connected to zero of the six openings.
0 for 6? That’s like a Cam Newton passing stat line.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that McDaniels’ struggles follow a disappointing season for his quarterback and the Patriots offense. His unsuccessful run as the Denver Broncos’ coach isn’t a selling point. But notably, McDaniels’ star had been falling ever since he left the Indianapolis Colts at the last minute — rebuffing them after agreeing to terms on a contract in 2018. That wasn’t what sunk him. But it didn’t help his case at tempting another team to hire him.
Since that mishap, McDaniels’ offenses have been declining. The unit was very solid in 2018 when they won Super Bowl LIII. But then McDaniels and Tom Brady put together one of their worst years together in 2019, with the offense sputtering at the end of the regular season, only to have the Patriots exit the playoffs in the first round against the Tennessee Titans. With the Patriots transitioning from Brady to Newton this season, New England’s passing offense was atrocious, with the third-fewest yards per game (180.6) and a tie for the fewest total passing touchdowns (12).
There’s always the chance that he could pop up on a team’s radar as the process progresses. The Houston Texans, for example, likely haven’t started their coaching hiring process, because they’re still finalizing the hire of their general manager, Nick Caserio, who is currently the Patriots director of personnel. That job, however, might not be one where McDaniels becomes a candidate, with the Texans firing Bill O’Brien this season. O’Brien was a Patriots offensive coordinator before taking the Houston job. The Texans may not want to hire another Patriots offensive coordinator immediately after seeing one fail,
With McDaniels’ offenses looking unproductive, combined with his history of being extremely discerning about what jobs he wants, he may not get head coaching interest this offseason.
