McDaniels Spurns Colts, Stays in New England

The optimism for football in Indianapolis has quickly turned to distress. Josh McDaniels, heir apparent to the Colts coaching throne, announced Tuesday that he will remain in New England as an offensive coordinator. The news came as a shock to Colts fans, as he had been announced head coach earlier Tuesday morning.

The move is one of cowardice. Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus, Offensive Line Coach Dave DeGuglielmo, and Defensive Line Coach Mike Phair uprooted their families and moved to Indianapolis to serve under McDaniels. McDaniels cited family as his reasoning for staying, yet showed disregard for the families of others.

According the sources at NFL Network, McDaniels went into his office in New England to pack his belongings.. As he left, owner Bob Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick sat him down to discuss his decision. Apparently, Belichick and Kraft made quite the argument. McDaniels announced soon after that he would remain in New England.

The news leaves the Colts in a state of disarray. Free agency and the NFL draft quickly approach. General Manager Chris Ballard must move quickly. McDaniels will serve as a learning moment for the young GM.

“We have work to do,” said Ballard. “I want someone that's 100 percent committed to partnering with us and getting that work done."

The search carries on. While McDaniels was the top priority, there are plenty of viable options available. Frank Reich, current offensive coordinator of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, is on the list. As is John DeFilippo, the Eagles quarterback coach. New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell and Leslie Frazier, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, round out the Colts top four. All four candidates will interview with the Colts in the coming weeks.

At the end of his press conference addressing the situation, Ballard had a “mic-drop” moment when he said, “the rivalry is back on.”

Ballard is understandably trying to light the fire under Colts fans, but what a joke. Andrew Luck has never beaten the Patriots. The last time the Colts beat the Patriots was 2009. Colts fans say it is a rivalry, but they are nothing more than the little brother. New England will lose no sleep over the Colts rekindling the “rivalry.”

I’m sure Tom Brady is quaking in his Uggs thinking about Jacoby Brissett throwing for 130 yards with three interceptions. Chris Hogan’s biggest concern is a leg cramp when he sprints past the awful Colts secondary. This isn’t a rivalry, Colts fans. Being mad that you lose often isn’t grounds for a rivalry.