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Josh McDaniels Favored to Be Next Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Apr 22, 2020 · 8:12 AM PDT

Josh McDaniels
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the early favorite to land the Packers head coaching job. Photo by Sharanr. (Flickr).
  • Who will be the next coach of the Green Bay Packers?
  • Early odds are on Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels
  • Identifying the best value bets of the bunch

In all likelihood, the Green Bay Packers head coaching vacancy will be the best available job this offseason (barring any unforeseen breakups, and perhaps, if you prefer a project like the upstart Browns).

Aaron freaking Rodgers is beginning a 4-year, $134 million extension. That’s world class talent and stability at QB, the most important position in the sport.

The franchise has always been adept at drafting talent, and hopefully, they’ll dip into free agency again – an area they’d traditionally steer away from – after a so-so stint this past year.

We know that Mike McCarthy is not the answer, but who is, for a team that’s usually a lock for 10 wins when Rodgers is healthy and at the helm?

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Judging by the initial list, they’re banking on it being a progressive, offensive-minded guru.

Odds To Be Packers’ Next Head Coach?

Candidate Current Role / Team Odds
Josh McDaniels Offensive Coordinator / Patriots +170
Lincoln Riley Head Coach / Oklahoma University +275
John DeFilippo Offensive Coordinator / Vikings +300
John Harbaugh Head Coach / Ravens +800
 Eric Bieniemy Offensive Coordinator / Chiefs +1000
Matt LaFleur Offensive Coordinator / Titans +1500
Zac Taylor Offensive Coordinator / Rams +1500
Pete Carmichael Offensive Coordinator / Saints +1500
Freddie Kitchens Offensive Coordinator / Browns +2500
Kris Richard Defensive Backs Coach / Cowboys +2500
Jeff Tedford Head Coach / Fresno State +2500
Ron Rivera Head Coach / Panthers +2500
Gary Kubiak Free Agent +5000

Should McDaniels Be Considered the Favorite?

This is the same guy who accepted the head coaching position in Indianapolis, only to walk out of that position and back to his OC gig with the Patriots.

That doesn’t sound like the character one of the NFL’s glamour organizations is looking for in its 16th head coach in franchise history.

However, since 2012, when McDaniels rejoined the Patriots, New England has finished outside of the top 10 in the NFL in total offense just once, and led the league as recently as last season.

Who’s the Best Bet?

Why Kliff Kingsbury is not on this list makes no sense, but if you’re looking for the best bet, there are still three candidates that could win this position, and cement their legacy as a winning head coach.

Coincidentally, they happen to be from the three best teams in the NFL this year.

Eric Bieniemy (+1000): He’s been under the wing of legendary offensive mind Andy Reid in KC since 2013, and was promoted to OC this year. The Chiefs are wrecking the league offensively, posting 37 points a game. With Rodgers and their weapons (Davante Adams, Jimmy Graham, Aaron Jones), doesn’t that have the potential for at least Chiefs lite?

Zac Taylor (+1500): Everyone wants the next Sean McVay, could he be on the current Rams’ coaching staff? A trademark of the Rams offense is cultivating formations that create mismatches to burn your defense down, a near non-existent trademark of the McCarthy era. The Rams are currently second in the NFL in scoring at 34.9 points a game.

Pete Carmichael (+1500): He’s been the offensive coordinator of the Saints since 2009, and despite down years, New Orleans’ offense has remained a constant weapon. With Green Bay tumbling to 16th in points scored this season, perhaps the mindset of outscoring your weaknesses needs to be adopted.

The Pick

It’s early, but I think the Packers want a fresh new face at the helm – it’s the in-vogue thing to do. For that reason, I’d almost nix every retread former and current NFL head coach. So that’s a no for McDaniels.

This is a scoring league, and Green Bay has one of the few ultimate weapons in Rodgers. It’s time for someone to unleash those powers in the home stretch of his career.

Why not pluck from the current most fruitful franchises? Any one of those three is worth laying a wager on. In a pinch, I’d prefer Bieniemy.

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