Browns Head Coach Rumors: Josh McDaniels 'Enthusiastically Interested' in Job

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels recently turned down an interview with one Ohio team, but it appears as though he wouldn't be opposed to coaching in the state.

According to Steve Doerschuk of CantonRep.com, McDaniels is "enthusiastically interested" in the Cleveland Browns' head coaching vacancy.

It's easy to see why McDaniels may have interest in the Browns' gig. After going 1-31 from 2016-17, Cleveland took a big step forward in 2018 by going 7-8-1.

The Browns roster features plenty of young talent, with a 2018 draft class that featured Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Denzel Ward. Not only that, but receiver Jarvis Landry and pass-rusher Myles Garrett provide star power on both sides of the football.

If there is mutual interest between the two sides, the Browns will have some competition for the coach's services.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously reported McDaniels is expected to interview for the Green Bay Packers' opening on Friday. Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Patriots assistant declined the Cincinnati Bengals' interview request.

McDaniels' only prior head coaching experience came with the Denver Broncos back in 2009-10. He lasted less than two seasons on the job, compiling an 11-17 record.

He spent the 2011 season as the offensive coordinator for the then-St. Louis Rams and has been on Bill Belichick's coaching staff since 2012, having also been in New England from 2001-08.

McDaniels has been a hot name this year despite the events of last postseason/offseason. In January 2018, the Indianapolis Colts appeared to have picked McDaniels to be their next head coach. However, McDaniels and the Patriots were still active in the postseason, meaning Indianapolis could not make the move official until New England's season was over.

The Patriots wound up playing in the Super Bowl, dragging the process out a few more weeks. When the Colts were finally able to hire McDaniels, he withdrew his name from consideration and returned to New England.

While that turn of events rubbed some the wrong way, it apparently has not stopped teams around the league from expressing interest in McDaniels.