According to Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell is believed to be interested in Patriots OC Josh McDaniels as a potential replacement for Gus Bradley.
Jacksonville had high hopes for this season but the results haven’t come close to expectations, which leaves Bradley firmly on the hot seat.
At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least for the Jaguars to move on from Bradley and target a head coach who could help turnaround QB Blake Bortles, who has regressed this season.
McDaniels figures to be one of the hottest head-coaching candidates again in 2017 but there’s still some question as to whether he would leave the Patriots.
One report from earlier in the year said that McDaniels has no plans to leave the Patriots anytime soon and instead plans to remain with the team for as long as Bill Belichick is there. However, McDaniels quickly denied that.
“I’m aware of the report and I’ll try to clear that up,” McDaniels said, via Pro Football Talk. “I definitely said it before and I’ll say it again: I definitely would love to be a head coach again. There are only 32 of those in the world. They’re opportunities that don’t come along very often, and if you would ever be so fortunate and blessed to have another opportunity to do it, and for myself it would be for a second time, it would be an opportunity that I would look forward to. It would have to be at the right place at the right time, which is what I’ve always said. I try to make decisions [based on] what’s best for my family and myself. Again, somebody would have to offer that opportunity. You’re lucky if you get that. That’s my mindset.”
McDaniels specifically referred to the report as “unfounded.”
“Anything that was reported about my thinking or my plans or the things that I want to do – the other day I saw that, those things I would say are unfounded,” McDaniels continued. “That being said, that’s all I’ll say about it. I love being here and I’m excited to get to work on the Jets and look forward to practicing tomorrow with our guys.”
McDaniels, 40, began his NFL coaching career with the Patriots as a personnel assistant back in 2001. He worked his way up to offensive coordinator in New England before he departed for the Broncos head-coaching job in 2009.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go very well for McDaniels with the Broncos and he was fired during his second year with the team.
After a brief stint with the Rams as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, McDaniels returned to the Patriots and has been running their offense in recent years.
We’ll have more regarding McDaniels and the Jaguars as the news is available.
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