The NFL playoffs are in high gear, and the New England Patriots are once again waltzing into the AFC title game. However, some of the hottest NFL coaching rumors at the moment involve the Patriots top two wing-men.

Patricia, McDaniels leaving New England?

The New England Patriots have pretty much dominated the NFL since Tom Brady left the University Michigan and took over the reigns at quarterback along the east coast. Defensive coach Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have been there for most of New England’s success along the way, however, the Belichick, Patricia, McDaniels era may be coming to an end.

The Detroit News is reporting that Patricia is the frontrunner to take over for recently fired Jim Caldwell in Motown. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Patricia is expected to be the next Lions head coach, which will reunite Patricia with his old friend Bob Quinn, the former Patriots personnel man turned Detroit Lions GM. Patricia, who has been one of the hottest names in the NFL coaching rumors circle for the last two years, reportedly had serious interest from several teams outside of Detroit, including the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals.

The 43-year-old Patricia, who is famous for his monstrous beard and backward hat while roaming the sidelines, and the Detroit Lions still need to agree to the contract details after the Patriots' season ends, but the NFL insiders are whispering that this is a done deal.

Colts have offered McDaniels

As for the other half of the dynamic duo in New England, it seems the Indianapolis Colts are offering Josh McDaniels the front man position if he wants it.

According to a NESN report, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is the new “clear favorite” to take the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach vacancy, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, citing multiple sources. Houston Texans defensive coordinator (and former Patriots linebacker) Mike Vrabel is McDaniels’ closest competition, per Rapoport.

McDaniels, who like Patricia has been with the Patriots since 2006, did leave New England in 2009 to take the head coaching position in Dever as he took over the Broncos head coaching position for two seasons. McDaniels then went to St. Louis as the offensive coordinator for one season in 2011 before heading back to New England as the OC in 2012.

While these two rumors seem to be close to done deals, at least as close to done as rumors can be, right now all Patricia, McDaniels and the Patriots are solely focusing on is a trip to the Super Bowl in three weeks.
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