Report: Josh McDaniels Likely To Leave Patriots For Head Coaching Job In 2017

BOSTON (CBS) -- Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' work with the offense has not gone unnoticed. The development of backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett appear to be helping him land another head coaching job with another team - and it reportedly could happen after the 2016 season.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Sunday that McDaniels is "virtually certain" to leave the Patriots and pursue head coaching opportunities after the 2016 season. McDaniels previously coached the Denver Broncos from 2009-10 and was the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams before rejoining the Patriots in 2012.

Still just 40 years old, McDaniels was 11-17 as Broncos head coach before being fired during the 2010 season. Sources "close" to McDaniels have told La Canfora that "while fully focused on the task at hand with New England," McDaniels will be "open to exploring opportunities" to become head coach for a new team in the winter after the conclusion of the 2016 season.

La Canfora speculates that the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions, who each employ former McDaniels colleagues Jon Robinson and Bob Quinn as their respective general managers, could be potential landing spots for McDaniels in 2017. The Patriots offensive coordinator reportedly thinks highly of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.

"Friends and colleagues" of McDaniels have reportedly said that he will "operate in a far less autocratic manner" in his next head coaching job after being the target of much criticism over the way he handled his head coaching position in Denver.