NFL coaching rumors: Josh McDaniels staying with Patriots

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels informed teams that he will stay with New England next season and will not be a candidate for head coach openings. McDaniels' name has come up as a possible target for multiple clubs with new openings, but Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the former Broncos head coach has taken his name off any initial short lists.

McDaniels was considered a likely candidate for the top coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. A Northeast Ohio native, McDaniels was rumored to be the most realistic coaching option to come along with Mike Lombardi, who's been rumored as a possible GM replacement in Cleveland. In addition to Pat Shurmur, the Browns fired GM Tom Heckert on Monday. But owner Jimmy Haslam stated they would hire a coach first before hiring a personnel chief, which would inhibit the speculated order of the Lombardi-McDaniels duo landing with the Browns.

McDaniels has long been touted by his mentor Bill Belichick as one of the bright offensive minds in the NFL. But after an 11-17 run in two seasons with the Broncos, he was quickly fired from his first head coaching gig. Schefter notes that McDaniels wishes to be a head coach again, but that he will not interview for any openings this time around.