The relationship between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been interesting. The Browns have not formally requested an interview with the coach but CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora did say that Cleveland has interest in doing so at some point.

CantonRep.com is now reporting that McDaniels is 'enthusiastically interested' in returning to Ohio to coach the Browns and Cleveland has mutual interest.

"McDaniels is enthusiastically interested in the Cleveland opening. The Browns have used back channels to indicate a mutual preliminary interest, but they have not invited him to an early interview. The Green Bay Packers did, and he said yes.

Browns General Manager John Dorsey has been good at cloaking what he is up to, including in the eyes of some obvious candidates. However, indications are that McDaniels is a very serious candidate."

McDaniels has long flirted with head coaching positions around the league since coming back to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator in 2012 following a failed attempt as the Broncos head coach and a brief stint as a coordinator for the Rams. The 42-year old attended Canton McKinley High School and later John Carroll. The Barberton native has spent 15 of his 18 seasons coaching with the Patriots. In addition to his brief detour with the Broncos, he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the St. Louis Rams in 2011.

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There is one more reason why interest in McDaniels would be noteworthy. It seems unlikely that the coach is the first choice of General Manager John Dorsey. McDaniels had accepted the head coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts last off-season before turning tail at the last minute and returning to the Patriots. He left Dorsey's understudy in Kansas City, now Colts General Manager Chris Ballard, at the alter. It is hard to envision Dorsey preferring a candidate that did wrong to his former colleague.

Cleveland parted ways with former head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Oct. 29. Interim head coach Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator Blake Williams and offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens took over and led the franchise to a 5-3 record during the second half of the season.

There are several reasons why potential head coaching candidates would be intrigued with the opportunity in Cleveland. Quarterback Baker Mayfield appears to be a franchise type player at the position. The team is also loaded with salary cap space and NFL Draft choices as well as a very productive 2018 NFL Draft class.

The Browns have hired 16 head coaches during their lengthy team history. They have also had five interim head coaches during that same time period. Cleveland last hired Jackson on Jan. 13, 2016. He compiled a 3-36-1 record during his two and a half seasons with the organization. The last Browns coach to finish with a winning record was Marty Schottenheimer (44-27) from 1984-1988.