New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ name was recently floated about as a potential candidate to fill the Cleveland Browns’ vacant head coaching job. And it appears as though that might just be the case.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network lists McDaniels among the Browns’ potential list of candidates, which also include Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Moreover, Rapoport says McDaniels, who controversially changed his mind in the last minute after already agreeing to become the Colts’ head coach this offseason to stay in New England, is “open to potential head coaching opportunities.”

There was a sense that given the unbecoming way McDaniels turned his back on the Colts job, he might have cost himself the chance to become a head coach in the league again.

And after meeting with owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick, he may have been given some assurance that he’d be Belichick’s heir apparent when he finally retires. But if McDaniels is still open to taking a job elsewhere, that may not be the case after all.

The Patriots were reportedly high on Mayfield during the draft process, with McDaniels apparently leading the charge. He reportedly told the quarterback’s camp that the Pats would consider trading up to get him if they would be able to get an interview.

The chance to work with an up-and-coming young quarterback in Mayfield and establish his own legacy in Cleveland could potentially be enough to lure McDaniels from the Patriots to the Browns.