When the Minnesota Vikings take to the U.S. Bank Stadium turf for their rematch against the Chicago Bears in Week 17, they’ll do so with a new offensive coordinator.
Source: #Vikings OC John DeFilippo has been fired.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2018
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings have fired John DeFilippo, who made it just 13 games into his first year as the team’s offensive coordinator. Rapoport adds that Quarterbacks Coach Kevin Stefanski will take over as the offense’s play-caller. Wow.
DeFilippo was a hot name on the coaching circuit last offseason. He interviewed with the Bears and was viewed as an ideal candidate, because of his quarterback-handling prowess. There were even reports that DeFilippo was willing to bring back Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio if he was to get the job, which made him that much more attractive. Ultimately, Matt Nagy was given the task to re-shape the Bears and DeFilippo moved on to Minnesota where he would certainly use his new gig as a stepping-stone toward an eventual head-coaching position. Oh, but things have changed since last winter.
Things haven’t gone all that well for the Vikings offense this year. The group ranks 17th in yards and 20th in points, even after investing more than $80 million in a player whose performance issues in primetime continue to handcuff the team he quarterbacks. The only thing more problematic than Kirk Cousins primetime hiccups has been an inability (and in some cases, reluctance) to establish the running game with Dalvin Cook. The Vikings ranking 30th in rushing yards and 31st in attempts stands out as a factor that has helped us get to a point where DeFilippo has been abruptly ousted as the Vikings’ OC.
This is the third high-profile in-season coach-firing to happen in the NFC North this year. In addition to the Green Bay Packers parting ways with Mike McCarthy and setting course for a new head coach, the Detroit Lions fired Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano back in November. And to think, it was at this time last year when the future of the Bears’ coaching staff was in flux. Things can change that quickly in the NFL.
At least DeFilippo appears to be right about one thing, the Bears are in good hands with the coach they hired.