Get ready for another winter of the Josh McDaniels Watch.
The longtime New England Patriots offensive coordinator once again could be a head coach candidate this offseason, as The MMQB's Albert Breer reports McDaniels is "garnering early buzz" along with Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris and former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
Breer reported last week that the Los Angeles Chargers could have interest in hiring McDaniels to replace Anthony Lynn. McDaniels' Patriots may have hastened Lynn's exit Sunday with a 45-0 rout that eliminated the Chargers from playoff contention.
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McDaniels has been a head coach candidate for the last several offseasons: He accepted the Indianapolis Colts' job in 2019 before having a change of heart and reportedly was a finalist for the Cleveland Browns' gig last winter.
Breer believes McDaniels finally may be ready take the leap after 2020, though.
"At 45, I think McDaniels is ready to take his second shot, even if that second shot isn’t perfect," Breer wrote Monday.
New England Patriots
A move to Los Angeles would allow McDaniels to work with one of the NFL's best young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and a general manager who shares his alma mater in John Carroll alum Tom Telesco.
The offensive coordinator will have plenty of competition, however: Breer lists McDaniels along with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as the five candidates who are "out front" in the head coach market.