Reports: Patricia, McDaniels inching closer to HC gigs in Detroit, Indy

The speculation continues to build that both defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be leaving New England sooner rather than later.

On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Patricia is now “likely to be the Lions’ next (head coach),” joining former Patriots’ front-office man Bob Quinn with the Lions. As for McDaniels, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media said he has told potential assistant coaches to “wait for him” as he’s the clear favorite in Indy. (Rapoport indicated that Dallas linebackers coach Matt Eberflus is McDaniels’ first choice as defensive coordinator.)

Meanwhile, this leaves the Giants as the team left standing in the game of coaching musical chairs. Both had been connected to the New York job, but both could ultimately end up elsewhere.

Obviously, neither job is a guarantee right now, as NFL rules mandate that no coach can execute or agree to a new contract until his or her current team’s season has finished. But a handshake agreement could certainly set the stage for announcement in the coming days.