According to a report from CBS.com, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is on the list of potential head coaching candidates for multiple NFL teams.
CBS says that at least five teams – the Raiders, Jets, 49ers, Falcons and Bears – are expected to make coaching changes this winter.
CBS reports, "The Falcons have interest in New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, sources said, as well as Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase."
Atlanta's front office, at least for the tenuous time being, is led by former Patriots personnel assistant Thomas Dimitroff.
But the Falcons aren't the only potential suitor for McDaniels, who interviewed for the Browns vacant head coaching job last offseason.
The 49ers are nearing the end of a messy divorce with Jim Harbaugh and a San Francisco team that had gone to three straight NFC title games prior to this year may also be interested in Tom Brady's longtime playcaller.
CBS writes, "The 49ers intend to interview some of the brighter young offensive minds in the pro game -- like McDaniels and Gase -- sources said."
McDaniels left New England after the 2008 season for his first job as an NFL head coach, a tumultuous one-plus year stint with the Broncos. He also spent 2011 as the offensive coordinator with the Rams, before returning to the Patriots for the last three seasons.
With the Patriots heading into a bye week after the finale with the Bills, it will be interesting to see how hot a name McDaniels is in the head coaching carousel that will begin tomorrow and if he interviews for any of the potential openings.
It will also be interesting how he approaches his career moving forward as he considers any potential second chances he might get as a head coach.
What do you think of McDaniels' name being thrown around as a head coaching candidate once again? How big a blow to the Patriots would his departure be? Let us know with a comment below!
