Is Josh McDaniels heading back to the Patriots?

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch quotes a “well-placed league source” in reporting that the New England Patriots have approached the Rams about permission to speak to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels was the Pats’ offensive coordinator from 2006-08 before taking over as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009. He was fired by the Broncos late in the 2010 season and spent this past year as offensive coordinator for the Rams.

With St. Louis recently firing head coach Steve Spagnuolo, a new coach would presumably bring in a new staff and McDaniels would be out of a job.