Patriots Rumors: This Candidate Considered ‘Favorite’ For OC Job

The Patriots are currently focused on finding their next offensive coordinator, though it might not take very long.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel claimed the organization would undergo an exhaustive search during his introductory press conference on Sunday. New England hasn’t exactly backed that up, though, seemingly mirroring the same approach it took when looking to fill his role. Vrabel reportedly has requested/interviewed two people thus far: Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown and Los Angeles Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady, two external minority candidates.

Josh McDaniels, however, is currently viewed as the favorite.

“Josh McDaniels is considered to be a prime candidate for the job,” Ian Rapaport of NFL Media said on Saturday. “He’s considered to be the favorite for the job. I would expect Mike Vrabel to talk to him as they go through the process of trying to find a new offensive coordinator.”

Are you picking up what we’re putting down?

New England appears to be skirting rules to hire the candidate it had eyes on since the very beginning, much like it did with Vrabel.

The Patriots very well could add more names to the list, but given the timing of the reports and the random nature of the other interview requests, it isn’t difficult to put together the pieces. The Rooney Rule does apply to coordinator positions, folks.

McDaniels will undoubtedly be a controversial hire for some, but perhaps even more if he ends up landing the job after only two other hastily put-together interviews.