Report: Browns Request Permission To Interview Josh McDaniels About Head Coaching Vacancy
BOSTON (CBS) -- As NFL head coach vacancies begin to open up around the league, New England's Josh McDaniels is becoming a popular man again. One team has reportedly already asked to chat with the Patriots offensive coordinator, with another expected to join the mix this week.
Fresh off of firing Freddie Kitchens on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns have reportedly requested permission to interview McDaniels, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday morning. McDaniels is reportedly Cleveland's first choice, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Carolina Panthers -- who parted ways with Ron Rivera mid-season -- are also expected to request an interview with McDaniels, via Schefter. And after firing Pat Shurmur on Monday, the New York Giants are also expected to express interest in McDaniels, according to Schefter.
On a conference call with reporters Monday morning, McDaniels said he was unaware of any interest in his services, and his focus in on New England's matchup with the Tennessee Titans on Wild Card weekend.
"I'm 100 percent fully invested in getting ready for Tennessee and trying to put our best performance of the season out there on Saturday night," said McDaniels. "We have a lot of work to do. That's where my focus will be. That's where it's at now and it'll stay there. That's the best thing for our team. It's the best thing for me. We're one of 12 teams that have an opportunity to compete in the postseason and that's the only way I'll ever do it."
Since the Patriots are playing this weekend, teams interested in McDaniels will have to wait to interview him.
The 43-year-old is always connected to the Browns job, given his Ohio roots. It could be an inciting gig for McDaniels, who would get to work with young quarterback Baker Mayfield if he returns home to Cleveland.
The expectation is that Josh McDaniels will accept the #Browns request to interview/meet with the organization about its head coaching vacancy, I'm told. McDaniels is ready to be a HC again.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 30, 2019
McDaniels is in his second stint in New England, and has been in charge of the New England offense since 2012. He most recently took the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job ahead of the 2018 season, only to spurn Indy and return to New England before he could be officially introduced by the Colts.
But if the Patriots suffer an early playoff exit and Tom Brady retires or ends up playing elsewhere in 2020, McDaniels may decide that the time is right to move on to his next head coaching opportunity.