The Facts: The Colts are moving quickly on Josh McDaniels. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the Patriots offensive coordinator is expected to become the team's next head coach when New England's season comes to a close, according to sources.

Diehards Line:The Colts also spoke with Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, but the organization has firmly clung to McDaniels as their top choice since firing Chuck Pagano, Rapoport was told. It was believed McDaniels might prefer the suddenly vacant Titans job, a gig that would come laced with an old friend in general manager Jon Robinson and the promising Marcus Mariota under center. Pelissero, though, noted Monday that McDaniels and Colts general manager Chris Ballard also share a strong relationship. In addition, the Colts opportunity gives McDaniels the chance to shift from tutoring Tom Brady to working with Andrew Luck. The Colts quarterback was lost all season to a shoulder injury, but is expected to return for 2018. Fans in Denver remember McDaniels floundering in his first head-coaching stint with the Broncos, a run that lasted less than two seasons (from 2009 into 2010) before he was fired by team ownership.