Josh McDaniels Expected To Stay With Patriots After Packers Hire Matt LaFleur

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Jan 8, 2019

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is expected to stay with the team, after the Green Bay Packers decided not to hire him.

Sep 9, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

With the Green Bay Packers hiring Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur as their new head coach, it seems unlikely that Josh McDaniels leaves the New England Patriots after all.

McDaniels was a candidate to take over as head coach for the Packers, but according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the long-time Patriots' offensive coordinator is likely to stay in Foxborough for at least one more season.

Rapoport noted that the Packers were the only team that McDaniels had a "known interview" with in regards to a head coaching position. The 42-year-old was set to leave for the Indianapolis Colts' coaching gig last year, but he pulled out and signed an extension with the Patriots instead.

Some believe that McDaniels will eventually take over as head coach for Bill Belichick - who turns 67 this year. Belichick could decide to retire in the near future, which would open the door for McDaniels to succeed his long-time mentor.

McDaniels was hired as head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2009, but he was fired late in the 2010 season. After one season as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, McDaniels went back to the Patriots in 2011 - and he's been on staff for all five of their Super Bowl championships.

One of the most brilliant offensive minds in the NFL, McDaniels has been largely responsible for the success of Tom Brady and others. But amid all these coaching interviews and reports about possibly leaving, McDaniels is set to remain in Foxborough after all.

What This Means

The Packers ultimately decided to roll with LaFleur, who is also among the more succesful offensive-minded coordinators around. We should find out before long what made the Packers choose LaFleur over the candidates, but this is certainly good news for Patriots fans.

Losing McDaniels could have thrown a wrench in their succession plan for Belichick, but there's no reason to believe he's going to leave for a different coaching position at any time in the near future.

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