Crud: Vikings Expected to Hire Former Bears Head Coach Candidate John DeFilippo as Offensive Coordinator

John DeFilippo’s meteoric rise through the NFL coaching ranks will continue in the NFC North … with a bitter Chicago Bears rival.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Minnesota Vikings are expected to hire DeFilippo as their next offensive coordinator. DeFilippo would replace Pat Shurmur, who left the Vikings to become the New York Giants head coach.

Like Shurmur, DeFilippo interviewed for the Bears’ head coaching position in January and his work with quarterback Carson Wentz made him a popular candidate. And why wouldn’t he be? He was rumored to have an eye on keeping Vic Fangio in the fold as the team’s defensive coordinator. What a tandem that would have been. Alas, DeFilippo was passed up for the job – though it’s worth pointing out that he had nothing but nice things to say about the team, the process, the hiring of Matt Nagy, and Mitch Trubisky’s future.

Minnesota provides a unique opportunity for DeFilippo, who also interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals’ head-coaching gig that ultimately went to former Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks. With the Vikings, DeFilippo will have full control of the offense where he will gain valuable experience as a play-caller. He wouldn’t have that responsibility in Philadelphia, even if he was promoted to offensive coordinator in the event Frank Reich were to leave for the Indianapolis Colts’ head coaching position. Head Coach Doug Pederson makes those calls, and he’s not giving up those duties after skillfully out-dueling Bill Belichick in Super Bowl LII.

Then again, if DeFilippo is as good as we hoped he could be had he been selected to become the Bears’ next head coach, it won’t be long until he becomes a branch off the Pederson coaching tree.