McDaniels, Patricia Draw Head Coach Interest From Multiple Teams

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia could have a busy interview schedule in the coming weeks. Multiple NFL teams recently requested to interview one or both of them for various head coaching vacancies.

The league "celebrated" the annual tradition of "Black Monday" on New Year's Day. Several head coaching jobs opened up, including some very high-profile gigs like the New York Giants. As a result, McDaniels and Patricia came up in a series of reports about teams' interest in them for their openings.

McDaniels' next head coaching job will be his second. As you may remember, he coached the Denver Broncos in 2009 and for most of 2010 before getting fired. Meanwhile, Patricia would become a head coach for the first time after coaching for the Patriots since 2004. Patricia served as defensive coordinator for the past six seasons.

Here's the latest on who's drawing interest from where:

-- ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted on Monday that the Giants submitted requests to interview both McDaniels and Patricia. Interestingly enough, Schefter added that the Giants "could be Patricia's landing spot."

-- The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted that the Colts requested to interview McDaniels for their head coaching job. In light of quarterback Andrew Luck possibly returning next season, this could be a more attractive gig than it appears. Not to mention, ex-Patriot Jacoby Brissett is still there.

-- Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network tweeted late on Monday that the Bears want to interview McDaniels for head coach. Noted as a "respected QB guru," McDaniels could be an ideal coach to mold 23-year-old Mitchell Trubisky.

-- In addition to the Giants, the Detroit Lions also submitted a request to interview Patricia, according to Schefter. Patricia would inherit a Lions team that has an established quarterback in Matthew Stafford, but a talented-yet-underachieving defense. Detroit allowed the 12th-most points per game (23.5) in the NFL in 2017.

-- The Arizona Cardinals put in a request to interview Patricia, according to Rapoport. Additionally, they requested to interview Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, according to Schefter.

So, if you're keeping score at home ...

McDaniels: Giants, Colts, Bears
Patricia: Giants, Lions, Cardinals
Flores: Cardinals

Bill Belichick could have quite the offseason ahead of him if he has to replace both Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia, in addition to drafting another young quarterback. But since he tends to promote from within, expect Flores to take over as DC if he doesn't take a head coaching job. On the offensive side, Brian Daboll could return from Alabama or the Patriots could promote receivers coach Chad O'Shea.

It's also worth noting that Lions GM Bob Quinn is familiar with Patricia. As a reminder, Quinn worked in various personnel roles for the Patriots from 2009-15 before heading to Detroit. So his interest in Patricia for head coach isn't much of a surprise.

These reports only make the Patriots' coming offseason more intriguing. But of course, the coaches have a Super Bowl to win before anything else.

-- By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff.