Josh McDaniels's Agent Drops Him After Colts Fiasco

Agent Bob LaMonte has withdrawn from representing Josh McDaniels in the wake of McDaniels’s 11th-hour decision to stay with the Patriots. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, LaMonte was “stunned” and “blindsided” by the move, and he apparently told McDaniels that he was “committing professional suicide.”

“My word is my bond. Once you break that, there’s nothing left,” LaMonte said.

It’s an easy business decision for LaMonte, who as one of the most powerful agents in football, can’t afford to sever his relationship with the Colts. LaMonte’s agency represents several coaches and GMs, including Jon Gruden, Doug Pederson, Sean McVay, Eagles GM Howie Roseman, Vikings GM Rick Spielman, and Chiefs GM Brett Veach. Crucially, he also reps Colts GM Chris Ballard.

ESPN also reported a bit more on how McDaniels changed his mind so abruptly, noting that he arrived at the Patriots team facility yesterday to clean out his things, only to be met by Bill Belichick, who persuaded him to stay. In addition to a raise and a new long-term contract, McDaniels was apparently swayed because he’ll now work more closely with Belichick learning “roster construction” and “salary-cap management,” which is part of the Patriots probably grooming McDaniels to take over for Belichick.

[ ESPN]