Several teams have already interviewed New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for their head-coaching vacancies, but another team might join the chase, depending on the outcome of their Saturday’s NFL wild-card game. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, the Tennessee Titans might fire head coach Mike Mularkey if they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and pursue McDaniels as his replacement.
The Titans assigned Mularkey as interim coach when they fired Ken Whisenhunt in 2015. After that season, the Titans removed the interim tag on Mularkey, who led the Titans to back-to-back 9-7 seasons and their first playoff berth since the 2008 season this year.
However, the organization now doubts Mularkey’s ability to lead the team, especially with the dip in performance of third-year quarterback Marcus Mariota and their blowout losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans. Maybe a win over the Chiefs could change the Titans’ plan, but if not, McDaniels will have another suitor to entertain.
Titans best option for McDaniels?
McDaniels has already been interviewed by the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears during the Patriots’ bye week. The Colts, Giants and Bears recently fired Chuck Pagano, Ben McAdoo and John Fox as head coaches, respectively. According to Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com, the Titans job could be the best option for McDaniels.
In Tennessee, he will have a chance to work with general manager Jon Robinson, who was with the Patriots’ front office from 2002 to 2013.
McDaniels will also have a dependable quarterback in Marcus Mariota, who could bring his career back on track under the long-time Patriots offensive coordinator. Running back Derrick Henry could also provide McDaniels will another threat on offense.
It is predicted that McDaniels will leave the Patriots to have another shot at a head-coaching job, after his disappointing two-year stint as head mentor of the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010.
Matt Patricia, Brian Flores also drew interest
Aside from McDaniels, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and linebackers coach Brian Flores also drew interest from other squads.
The Arizona Cardinals have asked permission from the Patriots to interview Patricia and Flores. The Giants and the Detroit Lions have expressed interest in hiring the 43-year-old Patricia, who has been with the Patriots from 2004 and assumed the defensive coordinator job in 2012.
