The Minnesota Vikings lost their offensive coordinator to a head coach position, but could be lining up to hire one of the NFL’s hotting coaching candidates as a replacement.
NFL insider Adam Caplan reports the Vikings will interview Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Coach John DeFilippo today for the offensive coordinator job left vacant when Pat Shurmur was hired as the New York Giants’ new head coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter originally reported the Vikings would have to wait until February 14 to interview DeFilippo when his contract with the Eagles officially expires.
If you’ll recall, the Chicago Bears interviewed DeFilippo during their search to replace John Fox. Despite being on the younger end of the coaching spectrum, DeFilippo’s work history is quite impressive. You can read this as a refresher if you’re curious about what DeFilippo could bring to the table if he is hired as the Vikings’ next offensive coordinator.
Even though DeFilippo will interview in Minnesota, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll leave Philadelphia behind. Frank Reich, who has served as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator the last two years, will interview for the recently re-opened Indianapolis Colts head-coaching gig on Friday. If Reich leaves, the Eagles would probably do everything in their power to keep DeFilippo in the fold. Promoting him to take Reich’s role would be one way to do just that.
It’s possible that DeFilippo would have stronger interest in being the Vikings’ offensive coordinator position than staying with the Eagles in that same capacity. DeFilippo would have full control of the offense in Minnesota, where he would call plays while working under a defensive-leaning head coach in Mike Zimmer. He would not have those same responsibilities if he stayed in Philadelphia, where Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson makes the play calls.
DeFilippo was a candidate we thought highly of when the Bears were searching for a new leader, so clearly it would be a boon if the Vikings replaced an offensive coordinator who left to be a head coach with someone who probably has a head coaching job in their not-too-distant future.