New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is a head coaching candidate for multiple teams this offseason, and the Cleveland Browns could be one of his preferred destinations.

McDaniels, 43, loved Baker Mayfield as a prospect in 2018 and would be eager to work with him, a source told Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

The Barberton, Ohio, native would likely want to work with his own general manager and wouldn't have considered the Browns job if John Dorsey was still GM, but it would now be hard for McDaniels to say no to his hometown team, Cabot reports.

During a press conference Thursday, owner Jimmy Haslam announced the Browns will first appoint a head coach and then involve the new hire in the selection of the next general manager, according to Cabot.

Cleveland reportedly requested permission to interview McDaniels on Monday.

The AFC North club fired head coach Freddie Kitchens on Sunday and parted ways with Dorsey two days later.

Cleveland failed to reach offseason expectations, finishing 6-10 after starting the year with strong playoff aspirations.

Former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Bills OC Brian Daboll, and 49ers DC Robert Saleh are other reported options for the Browns' head coaching vacancy.