Stunner: McDaniels tells Indy he’s not leaving Pats
NE coordinator, Colts had agreed to a contract
INDIANAPOLIS — Josh McDaniels has backed out of a deal to become the Indianapolis Colts coach, a decision that shocked the franchise hours after it announced his hiring.
The Colts confirmed McDaniels’ decision in a statement Tuesday night after reports emerged that the Patriots’ offensive coordinator had opted to stay in New England with coach Bill Belichick.
McDaniels had agreed to contract terms with the Colts to replace the fired Chuck Pagano. A news conference had been scheduled for today at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“I’m speechless,” former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne told NFL Network. “I’ve talked with people in the Colts organization and they feel like they’ve been hoodwinked.”
The Colts said McDaniels informed them Tuesday evening that he would not sign the deal.
“Although we are surprised and disappointed, we will resume our head coaching search immediately and find the right fit to lead our team and organization on and off the field,” the Colts said in the statement.
The Patriots and McDaniels’ agent, Bob LaMont, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
BUTLER: New England cornerback Malcolm Butler says he didn’t miss a curfew or do anything off the field that would have hurt New England’s chances of winning the Super Bowl before he was benched for the game.
In a statement released Tuesday on Twitter and Instagram, Butler says reports of misconduct off the field are “ridiculous.”
He says he visited with family every night while in Minneapolis. He adds, “I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated in any of the ridiculous activities being reported. They are not only false, but hurtful to me and my family.”
Before the Super Bowl, Butler was on the field for 98 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps and started 17 of their 18 games. But he made it on the field for only one special teams play on Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles racked up 538 yards of offense, including 374 yards passing, and won 41-33. Patriots coach Bill Belichick has not explained why Butler was benched.
After the game, Butler told ESPN that he “could have changed the game.” He also used a profanity and said the Patriots “gave up” on him.
In his statement, Butler apologized for the language he used “during a very emotional time.” His statement was “liked” on Instagram by teammates Tom Brady and Martellus Bennett.
Butler is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
FATAL ACCIDENT: An immigrant who was living illegally in Indiana when he was arrested in a suspected drunkendriving crash that killed Indianapolis linebacker Edwin Jacksonr had a history of misdemeanor convictions and arrests, including at least two previous instances of driving under the influence, authorities said Tuesday.
President Donald Trump drew added attention to the death on Twitter, calling the highway collision that killed him and another man “disgraceful.” The president also prodded Democrats to work with him on illegal immigration and border security.
The driver believed to be responsible for Sunday’s crash on Interstate 70 in Indianapolis had been deported twice in the last decade.
Trump tweeted Tuesday: “So disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson. This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!”
In a second tweet, he added, “My prayers and best wishes are with the family of Edwin Jackson, a wonderful young man whose life was so senselessly taken. @Colts.”
Carolina placed interim general manager Marty Hurney on paid leave after his ex-wife accused him of harassment last week.
The NFL is investigating Hurney under the league’s personal conduct policy, team spokesman Steven Drummond said. The Panthers notified the NFL that Hurney’s ex-wife filed on Friday for a protective order. Hurney notified the Panthers on Sunday of the filing, Drummond said.
The judge who heard Jeanne Hurney’s complaint said there was no evidence Hurney had committed acts of domestic violence against her. District Judge Ronald Chapman refused to issue an immediate restraining order against Marty Hurney. Chapman set a Feb. 16 hearing on the complaint.
Marty Hurney referred questions to his attorney.
DRAFT ORDER: The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will choose last, following the New England Patriots, in this spring’s NFL draft.
The order was set after the Eagles beat the defending champion Patriots 41-33 on Sunday.
Cleveland had the worst record in the league at 0-16 and will pick first in the opening round April 26 in Arlington, Texas.
The second and third rounds are the next day, followed by the rest of the sevenround draft April 28.
The Browns, New York Giants (3-13) and Indianapolis (4-12) hold the first three choices.