MAR. 4 -- On Tuesday, February 6th the Indianapolis Colts announced the Patriots OC, Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. Later that night, the Colts released a statement that McDaniels would not be accepting their offer. On Tuesday morning McDaniels went into work intending to clean out his desk and begin with Indianapolis. He had already begun assembling his assistant coaching staff and continued communications with potential coaches up until Tuesday. Clearly, this was not an easy decision for McDaniels. So what changed his mind? Long conversation with Patriots ownership and Bill Belichick appear to have persuaded McDaniels that New England was the right place for him. McDaniels seems to have fallen victim to the charm of the Patriots franchise and the promise of inheritance. In their meeting on Tuesday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft sweetened McDaniels’ contract, further enticing him to stay and likely promising him the head coaching job upon Belichick’s exit. Blinded by the sparkle of the Patriots’ success and legacy, Josh McDaniels passed up a perfect opportunity with the Colts.

     First off, McDaniels’ inheritance of the head coaching position in New England is by no means set in stone. A lot can change between now and Bill Belichick’s retirement. But even if McDaniels does inherit Belichick’s job, he also inherits his shadow. Assuming Belichick stays for a few more years he will have been the Patriots head coach for over 20 years. Needless to say the Brady/Belichick era is a tough act to follow. Because of his legacy, his predecessor will face unparalleled scrutiny from fans, players and ownership. Belichick’s role is not an easy one to fill. When faced with the choice between attempting to be the new Bill Belichick or being handed a clean slate in Indianapolis- the decision should have been easy for McDaniels.

     The pull of the Patriot’s fame and fortune stole McDaniels away from an opportunity to build his own legacy. The Colts’ position would have allowed McDaniels the freedom to build a team with early draft picks and a complete overturn in coaching. With the Colts, McDaniels could have become the franchises’ legendary coach. In New England, that spot will forever be held by Bill Belichick and all McDaniels will be is the new head coach riding the wave of a dying franchise. Tom Brady only has a few years left in him. Without Brady and Belichick and probably Gronkowski, McDaniels will likely be left with a skeleton of a team and a fanbase and ownership with some of the highest expectations in the league. He should have jumped at the opportunity for a fresh start in Indianapolis.

     At the time McDaniels was making his decision, it was thought that Andrew Luck’s health was uncertain and that he may have required surgery on his shoulder. McDaniels should have seen this as an opportunity to draft a great rookie QB with the 3rd overall pick. A rookie quarterback and a new head coach is the perfect recipe for the start of a dynasty. McDaniels should have seen this as his chance for greatness, but he chose to play it safe. It is also important to note that he made a commitment. He should have honored it. Backing out in the manner that he did reflects poorly on his entire organization and makes McDaniels look like a coward.

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Sources: 

Schefter, Adam. “Josh McDaniels Changes Mind, Jilting Colts to Stay with Pats.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 7 Feb. 2018, www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22349872/josh-mcdaniels-spurns-indianapolis-colts-remain-new-england-patriots.

Ryan Wilson @ryanwilson_07 . “This Isn't the First Time Belichick Promised to Show McDaniels How to Be a Head Coach.” CBSSports.com, 13 Feb. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/this-isnt-the-first-time-belichick-promised-to-show-mcdaniels-how-to-be-a-head-coach/.

Harry Lyles Jr. and Jeanna Thomas. “Everything We Know about Why Josh McDaniels Stayed with the Patriots.” SBNation.com, SBNation.com, 6 Feb. 2018, www.sbnation.com/2018/2/6/16952378/josh-mcdaniels-head-coach-colts-patriots-andrew-luck.

Doyel. “The Colts Are Expected to Hire Josh McDaniels ... Why?” Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2018, www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2018/01/15/doyel-colts-expected-hire-josh-mcdaniels-why/1034425001/.

Keefer, Zak. “The Josh McDaniels Colts Era: How It All Fell Apart.” Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2018, www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2018/02/07/josh-mcdaniels-colts-era-how-all-fell-apart/312617002/.

Sean Wagner-McGough @seanjwagner . “Josh McDaniels Spurns Colts at the Last Minute to Stay with the Patriots.” CBSSports.com, 7 Feb. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/josh-mcdaniels-reportedly-spurns-colts-at-the-last-minute-to-stay-with-patriots/.