When coaching vacancies pop up around the NFL at the end of the regular season, Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels name inevitably dominates the conversation.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview McDaniels. Similar requests are forthcoming from the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, he said.
McDaniels was asked about the available head coaching positions during a Monday morning conference call.
“With all due respect to the question I’m not even aware of any of that stuff at this point so,” said McDaniels. “When that stuff is presented to me or discussed with me or whatever, we will deal with it appropriately.”
McDaniels was adamant that his full attention is on Saturday nightap AFC playoff match against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium.
“I’m 100% fully invested in getting ready for Tennessee and trying to put our best performance of the season out there on Saturday night.
“We have a lot of work to do and really, thatap where my focus will be and thatap where itap at now and it will stay there. Thatap the best thing for our team, thatap the best thing for me.”
McDaniels was awarded a lucrative five-year contract in September 2018 to remain the Patriots offensive play caller after turning down an offer by Indianapolis Colts to become their head coach.
The Green Bay Packers reportedly asked permission to talk to McDaniels last season, an invitation he accepted. But the Patriots are under no obligation to grant permission, and itap unlikely to happen while the team is in pursuit of a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
“We are one of 12 teams that have an opportunity to compete in the postseason and thatap the only way I will ever do it,” said McDaniels. “But honestly it is pretty easy of me and my formula. I’m offensive coordinator of the Patriots and we have of a lot of work to do and we can improve in a lot of areas and try to get ready for this week.
“Itap our biggest game of the year certainly against the best team we’ve played and itap a post season game. Our players deserve that, our coaches deserve that and that is what they are going to get from me.”
McDaniels left New England in 2009 to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos. He served two seasons in that capacity before becoming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach of the Rams. He returned to the Patriots after one season with the Rams.
