Tennessee Titans Sabotage Colts’ Pursuit of Josh McDaniels

A division rivalry in the NFL is unlike any other because it extends beyond the field. Ask the Tennessee Titan and Indianapolis Colts.

There is no doubt that Colts fans are going to feel an even greater level of hatred for the Titans when the dust settles over the next few days. At least that’s if things progress as they seem to be. Up until now it looked like Indianapolis was the landing spot expected for New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. A blessed relief considering they’d already swung and missed on a number of other top candidates like Matt Nagy.

That hope has since been shattered by the decision of the Titans to fire head coach Mike Mularkey despite the team winning their first playoff game since 2003. It’s clear that GM Jon Robinson was interested in making a switch given the poor performance of quarterback Marcus Mariota this past season. The solution to that problem in his mind has to be McDaniels, whom he knows quite well from their time together in New England. It’s a natural fit.

McDaniels loss puts Colts in a difficult position

For the Titans this would be an obvious boon. The chance to pair Mariota with a sharp play caller like McDaniels is an easy sell. The question moving forward should this happen is whether he retains the current defensive coaching staff. That’s hard to say. What isn’t hard to say is that Indianapolis is basically back to square one. All of their top options to this point have either declined the job or taken a one they consider more attractive.

Maybe they’re still hope for McDaniels but that’s unlikely. Their biggest selling point, Andrew Luck has uncertainty due to his shoulder injury. Tennessee has both Mariota and a former Patriot running the front office. It’s such a natural fit. Thus GM Chris Ballard is left with a conundrum. Is there a coach out there who is of high quality but also wants the job? It’s amazing to think Indianapolis has sunk to this point. Two years ago it would’ve been the most coveted position in the NFL.

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Now Tennessee has continued to make it look like a quarantine zone no reputable coaches want to touch.