McGinest: McDaniels says he never received guarantee he'll succeed Belichick

After Josh McDaniels jilted the Indianapolis Colts to remain in New England, many assumed the Patriots offensive coordinator received a guarantee he would someday succeed Bill Belichick as head coach. However, McDaniels says he received no such assurances.

Willie McGinest of the NFL Network said he spoke with McDaniels, who said there is "absolutely not" a guarantee he'll be the Patriots' next head coach, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. McGinest, a former Patriots linebacker, also said McDaniels denied any semblance of a handshake agreement with team owner Robert Kraft.

"I listen to a lot of people talk about it like he's taking over for Belichick in the next year or two. That's Bill Belichick. Nobody's just going to push him out of coaching," McGinest said.

"... Josh wanted stability. That didn't take place until after the conversation that they had after he was about to leave. The only stability he had in place was being the new head coach. His family, his thoughts, after having a conversation with his wife, of course, and ownership, and Bill - the best place for him, where he wanted to be, where he wanted to stay, was in New England."

McDaniels has yet to speak publicly since reneging on his verbal agreement with the Colts. What is certain is the Patriots will have both Belichick and McDaniels back next season, and perhaps into the future as well.