Coaching Rumors: Vikings, Giants, Cowboys
As had been expected, Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski will garner an interview for the club’s vacant offensive coordinator position. Stefanski, who’s coached tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks for Minnesota, will meet with head coach Mike Zimmer this weekend, reports Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Meanwhile, former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell‘s interview with Zimmer will take place on Friday, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Ex-Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and former Broncos play-caller Mike McCoy have also speculatively been mentioned as candidates for the Vikings’ OC role, but neither has yet been asked to interview.
Here’s more from the 2018 coaching carousel:
- The Giants have officially hired former Panthers special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey for the same role in New York, per Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. This had been the expected outcome, but the Giants waited until they’d officially named Pat Shurmur as their new head coach before making any other staff additions. McGaughey, who’s also led special teams units with the 49ers and Jets, coached Carolina to a No. 6 ranking in ST DVOA in 2017. The Giants, meanwhile, ranked dead in the same metric last a season ago. Ex-Cardinals assistant special teams coach Anthony Blevins could also be joining New York’s special teams staff in the near future, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
- Wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert will join the Giants under new head coach Pat Shurmur, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). Tolbert, who led the Broncos’ wideouts from 2011-17, was fired earlier this month as part of a staff shakeup. However, he reportedly drew a good deal of interest around the NFL before deciding on the Giants, per Klis. That comes as no surprise, as Tolbert nearly left Denver last offseason when the Titans expressed interest.
- The Cowboys interviewed assistant offensive line coach Marc Colombo for their vacant tight ends coach job today, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Colombo, who played for Dallas from 2005-10, was reportedly “in the mix” to become the Cowboys’ full-time offensive line coach earlier this year after Dallas fired Frank Pollack. However, the Cowboys ultimately selected former Bengals OL coach Paul Alexander for the job. Colombo, for his part, joined Dallas’ staff in 2015.
- The Packers formally announced their 2018 coaching staff today, and the club noted a few new additions that we haven’t yet noted here at PFR. While previous reports had indicated Jim Hostler would be Green Bay’s wide receivers coach, he’ll actually take the title of offensive passing game coordinator, with David Raih — formerly the Packers’ “offensive perimeter” coach — is handling wideouts. Meanwhile, defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery will stay with Green Bay after previously having accepted a job as Texas A&M’s associate head coach/defensive line, tweets Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Vikings To Interview Darrell Bevell
Former Seahawks play-caller Darrell Bevell is in high demand. After completing his interview with the Cardinals, Bevell will meet with the Vikings this week, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). 
The Vikings are in need of a new offensive coordinator following the departure of Pat Shurmur. Although Shurmur’s offensive attack came up short in the NFC Championship Game, his system was largely a success in Minnesota. The job, presumably, would hold great appeal for Bevell and other candidates, though it’s not quite clear who the next OC will be working with at quarterback.
The Vikings face one of the most unique QB conundrums in recent memory with Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater all scheduled for free agency. Some expect the Vikings to either franchise tag or extend Keenum while allowing injury-prone Bradford and Bridgewater to walk. The reality, however, is that Keenum could follow Shurmur to New York, forcing the Vikings to retain either Bridgewater or Bradford as their starter. Or, they could conceivably try and keep two of the three. There could even be a scenario in which the Vikings pursue a big-name QB in free agency (such as Drew Brees) and move on from the whole trio. Anything is possible, so Bevell must be ready to explain how his system will fit quarterbacks of all different styles.
Former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy have also been mentioned as candidates for the job.
Cardinals To Interview Darrell Bevell
Steve Wilks is moving quickly to construct his coaching staff. On Monday night, the Cardinals will interview former Seahawks play caller Darrell Bevell for their offensive coordinator position, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: Cardinals Hire Steve Wilks As Head Coach]
Bevell is one of three candidates already linked to the opening, along with Eagles quarterbacks John DeFilippo and former Chargers head coach Mike McCoy. Meanwhile, La Canfora hears that other teams are also showing interest in Bevell.
The Seahawks’ offense was in the middle of the pack in 2017, finishing 15th in total offense, 14th in DVOA, and eleventh in scoring. However, he wore the headset for some of Seattle’s best seasons, including the 2013 campaign which ended with a Super Bowl victory.
The makeup of the Cardinals’ offense will change between now and September – particularly with the quarterback position in flux – the next Cardinals OC will have the pleasure of working with David Johnson, who should be back healthy for 2018. Without Johnson’s services last year, the Cardinals ranked 30th in DVOA. With the league’s most dynamic running back in action, expectations will be much higher.
Cardinals Hire Steve Wilks As Head Coach
The Cardinals have officially hired Steve Wilks as their new head coach. The news was first reported by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per the team’s announcement, it’s a four-year deal with a club option for year five.
Wilks has reportedly made a “very strong impression” on Cardinals ownership during the search process. Last week, Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong, Eagles quarterbacks John DeFilippo, and incumbent defensive coordinator James Bettcher were all said to be in the mix, but Wilks came out on top.
“This is not really a rebuild, this is a retool,” Wilks told the team website. “We have the culture of winning here. We just have to be able to sustain it. It’s all about trying to get to the next level and the consistency you need to get to the next level. I believe building a culture based on three things: Trust, commitment and accountability.”
Wilks just finished his first year as a defensive coordinator with the Panthers, but has eleven previous seasons of experience as an NFL assistant. Both the Giants and Titans considered Wilks for their head coaching vacancies this year before choosing to hire Pat Shurmur and Mike Vrabel, respectively. Despite his relative lack of coordinator experience, it’s clear that Wilks is highly respected around the NFL.
DeFilippo missed out on the head coaching job in Arizona, but he could potentially become the team’s new offensive coordinator. Previous reports have indicated that Wilks would like to have the Eagles QBs coach as his OC, but Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) notes that the team also plans to talk to other candidates including Mike McCoy and Darrell Bevell.
Meanwhile, Wilks could already have a defensive coordinator in mind. Panthers linebackers coach Al Holcomb is a candidate to follow Wilks from Carolina to Arizona, according to Garafolo (on Twitter).
Wilks will have some serious tools to work with, including edge rusher Chandler Jones, linebacker Haason Reddick, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Budda Baker. The return of David Johnson will bolster the team on the other side of the ball, but the Cardinals will have to address their quarterback situation in the wake of Carson Palmer‘s retirement. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is also thinking about calling it a career and he has indicated that the team’s head coaching hire will weigh heavily in his decision. With that in mind, a call to Fitzgerald might be one of the top items on Wilks’ to-do list.
Falcons To Interview Bevell, Dorsey
The Falcons are interviewing multiple free agent coaches for their vacant quarterbacks coach position. Recently fired assistants Darrell Bevell and Ken Dorsey are set to interview for the post, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Bevell has spent the past 12 seasons as an offensive coordinator, with the Vikings from 2006-10 and Seahawks from 2011-17. He will interview for this lower-level perch nonetheless. Mike Shula won’t, however, with Ledbetter reporting the ex-Panthers offensive coordinator wants to catch on as an OC somewhere else.
The Falcons also interviewed Greg Knapp and Jedd Fisch for this job, one that’s becoming quite the competition. The Falcons already announced Steve Sarkisian will return for a second season as OC, and the team looks set to add a big name to work under him.
These coaches are vying to replace Bush Hamdan, who left at season’s end to become OC at the University of Washington.
Bevell last worked as a QBs coach from 2003-05, when he oversaw Brett Favre‘s work with the Packers. Dorsey coached Panthers passers from 2013-17. Bevell and Quinn worked together as coordinators in Seattle from 2013-14.
Extra Points: Saints, Strief, Patriots, Flores
Saints right tackle Zach Strief is considering retirement, as Nick Underhill of The Advocate writes.
“The reality is that we all love some part of this game and there’s a part of that that’s just in us,” Strief said. “So it makes it very difficult always when that happens, when that time comes. And like I said, I think take some time, really make that decision away from football and make it with your family. When it is time, I will have no regrets. I know that when I decide that this has gone on so much longer and so much better than I ever could have imagined.”
Strief still feels like he can play at a high level and believes that his 2016 campaign was among his best. However, 2017 was a trying year for him after he suffered major knee injuries in the fall. If Strief walks away this offseason, the Saints will have to prioritize the RT position in the spring.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- If Arizona ultimately hires Patriots‘ linebackers coach Brian Flores head coach, New England would become the first NFL team to lose three assistant coaches to head coaching jobs in the same offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) notes. It is expected that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will become the Colts’ next head coach while defensive coordinator Matt Patricia appears to be headed for the Lions. Flores’ odds of getting the Cardinals’ top job improved on Wednesday morning when Mike Munchak declined to return for a second interview.
- Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell could be a candidate for the Bears’ quarterbacks coach position, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Matt Nagy and Bevell have a common link in that they both have history with Brad Childress. Nagy is close with Childress and Bevell served as Childress’ offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
- The Texans have parted ways with Jason Lowrey as their director of football operations, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Lowrey was close with former GM Rick Smith and new GM Brian Gaine likely has someone else in mind for the position.
Seahawks Fire OC Darrell Bevell
The Seahawks have fired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a source tells Curtis Crabtree of PFT (on Twitter). Bevell was set to return for his eighth season with the team in 2018. 
Bevell finds himself out of work after the Seahawks went 9-7 and failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011. All things considered, the offense wasn’t terrible – the Seahawks placed 15th in total offense (330.4 yards per game), 14th in DVOA, and eleventh in scoring. However, things stalled in some key late season games such as Week 15’s embarrassing 42-7 loss to the Rams.
The running game also suffered this season. Despite the presence of Thomas Rawls and free agent pickup Eddie Lacy, it was quarterback Russell Wilson who finished out the year as the team’s leading scorer. The Seahawks placed 23rd in rushing and it would have been a lot lower if not for Wilson’s 586 yards on the ground.
Bevell was on the sidelines for some of Seattle’s best seasons in franchise history, including the Super Bowl after the 2013 season. In the following year, his call for the Seahawks to pass from the 1-yard line spoiled a would-be victory in Super Bowl XLIX. Bevell managed to hang on for three more years after that, but he was never able to salvage his reputation with fans.
Coaching Staff Notes: Browns, Lions, Jaguars
Mike Pettine isn’t giving up his position as Browns head coach without a fight, as he has already offered up the suggestion that he would make significant changes to his coaching staff if the ownership decided to retain him, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
It is unusual for a head coach to be so willing to give up his staff in exchange for his job, which points towards the likelihood of him getting fired. However, owner Jimmy Haslam vowed not to blow up the franchise back in August, and might consider keeping Pettine for continuity’s sake.
Here are some more notes involving current coordinators and coaching staffs in the NFL:
- Despite offensive struggles this season, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has not lost any confidence in Scott Linehan’s ability to coordinate the offense, writes David Moore of DallasNews.com.
- Jim Caldwell may be on the hot seat in Detroit, but his coaching staff is even more uncertain. Many Lions’ coaches could be in the running for better jobs elsewhere, while others could decide to jump ship if any opportunity should arise, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- Of all the Lions’ staff, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is least likely to return, as he will be a top head coaching candidate around the league this hiring cycle, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.
- The Jaguars offensive took a big step forward this year, but defensive coordinator Bob Babich might not have done enough to keep his job into 2016, writes Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com.
- The Bears are expecting offensive coordinator Adam Gase to be offered a head coaching job this year, after interviewing with five teams a year ago, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains will be in consideration, as could Ken Whisenhunt and Pat Shurmur.
- Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan looked like a head coaching candidate during the team’s 5-0 start, but the disappointing finish put that status into question. Still, Shanahan is excited to be back with the team in 2016 to build on what the offense started, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.
- Despite completely turning the Seahawks offense around midseason, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell isn’t receiving much head coaching buzz this season, writes Sheil Kapadia of ESPN. He has been in the discussion the past two offseasons but has not been able to come away with a job. His 2015 performance might be the best offense he put on display, but he doesn’t seem to be as hot as other candidates.
- Some changes will be made on the 49ers coaching staff, but defensive coordinator Eric Mangini believes they won’t wait long to find out, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. For one, linebackers coach Clancy Pengergast is expected to leave to join USC’s coaching staff.
Seahawks Notes: Bevell, Lynch, Coyle, Hill
Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell won’t be a candidate for the BYU head coaching position, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (in several Twitter links). Carroll relayed that he had spoken with BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, but told the AD that the timing isn’t right for Bevell to leave his current post. Bevell himself also confirmed to Condotta that he is not interested in the job.
Let’s dive into some more notes on the Seahawks, with all links courtesy of Condotta…
- Running back Marshawn Lynch has returned to the Seahawks’ practice facility, two weeks to the day after he underwent abdominal surgery, writes Condotta, but the club still isn’t certain as to when he’ll return. “He’s rehabbing,” said Carroll. “And when he’s ready to start working with us we’ll get him going. Not quite yet.” Undrafted rookie free agent Thomas Rawls has usurped the starting running back gig during Lynch’s three-game absence, rushing for almost 400 yards in that span.
- The Seahawks placed second-year linebacker Brock Coyle on injured reserve/designated to return in late October, meaning he’s eligible to return to game action in Week 15. And according to Carroll, Coyle will do just that, as he’s apparently fully healthy and ready to contribute (Twitter link).
- In other injury news, it’s possible that defensive tackle Jordan Hill will return this week, tweets Condotta. Hill suffered a ankle injury in Week 12 and didn’t play against the Vikings on Sunday. The 24-year-old dealt with a similar injury earlier this season, so it’s possible Seattle will be cautious.
- Condotta also rounds up the rest of Carroll’s media comments today, including notes on why Seattle released receiver Chris Matthews, and the difficulty of sustaining a Super Bowl-caliber roster.
AFC West Notes: Raiders, MJD, Pryor, Chiefs
After a report yesterday indicated that former Raiders head coach John Madden sat in on the team’s interview with Mike Shanahan, Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell revealed that Oakland owner Mark Davis wasn’t even in attendance during his meeting with the team, tweets Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. While that doesn’t necessarily mean anything – perhaps the timing just didn’t work out, with Bevell’s interview window set to close – it may not be a good sign for his candidacy, writes Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.
Here’s more from around the AFC West, with a focus on the Raiders:
- We heard during Wild Card week that the Raiders were one of five teams interested in Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, but now that Bowles is eligible to interview for head coaching jobs, Oakland seems to rank as his fifth priority, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). The Jets, Falcons, 49ers, and Bears have interviews lined up with Bowles, beginning today, while the Raiders were “essentially told to get in line” behind those clubs, per Tafur.
- In a second tweet, Tafur adds that the Raiders haven’t ruled out a pursuit of Bowles or Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio – who won’t talk to teams until Denver’s season is over – but neither coach appears to be a strong candidate for the position at this point.
- Appearing today on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link), veteran running back Maurice Jones-Drew said he hopes to remain in Oakland and help turn the team’s fortunes around in 2015. While MJD says his body feels good and he wishes he had seen the field more in 2014, the Raiders wouldn’t carry any dead money if they decided to cut the 29-year-old and his $2.5MM cap hit, so he’s certainly no sure bet to be back.
- Free agent Terrelle Pryor is working out for the Chiefs as a quarterback today, a league source tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Kansas City already has four signal-callers on its roster, but with offseason limits now applying to the team, it’s possible one more could come aboard.