Jan 21, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots OC McDaniels Withdraws From Colts Head Coach Job

If you blinked too fast, you may have missed Josh McDaniels’ last-second withdrawal from the Indianapolis Colts head coach position on Tuesday. The NFL world is still in shock and is looking for answers regarding the sudden change of heart.

Sweet Home Massachusetts

Speculation around the league implies that Patriots owner Robert Kraft lured McDaniels back to Foxborough by increasing his pay.

Money isn’t the only thing that kept McDaniels’ from the Colts (especially when considering head coach salaries today). According to ESPN’s Patriots beat writer, Mike Reiss, what really got McDaniels to stay was Bill Belichick.

Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Belichick told McDaniels that he’d be more involved with him in regards to “inner workings” of the team.  These include roster construction, salary cap management, et cetera, which was extremely valuable in McDaniels’ decision to stay.

Giving McDaniels a broader role within the organization could be part of a succession plan for Coach Belichick, according to Reiss. Belichick is now 65 years old and has coached the Patriots for 18 seasons at the conclusion of the 2017 NFL season.

Another contribution to the Patriots’ proposition was a long-term contract extension; allowing his children to stay in the same school system for an extended time period.

Maybe it was the money for McDaniels, or more control within the organization. It could even be the fact the he would miss parking his car at the Harvard yard or buying Hoodsie Cups for the kids. At the end of the day, he’s still a Patriot.

Colts Reaction

“The rivalry is back on” is what Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said to close his interview on Wednesday.

McDaniels’ withdrawal shocked the Colts Organization. McDaniels had gone as far as verbally accepting the job and telling assistant coaches they had a job on his staff.

Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy was livid about the decision.

The tone in Ballard’s voice said it all for the city of Indianapolis. “He chose not to be an Indianapolis Colt. That’s okay. We’ll move forward.”

Looking ahead, Ballard and the Colts are back on the hunt for a head coach and are moving past the McDaniels situation.

“We want, as an organization, a head coach that wants to be all in. We got work to do. I want someone that’s 100% committed to partnering with us and getting that work done.”

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