Last offseason, highly-respected Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell interviewed with the Patriots and Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator openings, but ultimately remained in Minnesota for a third season when those franchises went in different directions. Although he hasn’t been requested to interview for any OC vacancies yet this year, it wouldn’t be surprising if that changes soon.
Players like Justin Jefferson thought so highly of McCardell after his first season with the Vikings in 2021 that they successfully petitioned for him to remain on the staff when Kevin O’Connell replaced Mike Zimmer as head coach. He was the only major assistant coach who was retained in the transition to a new regime in ’22. Not only has McCardell helped Justin Jefferson continue his ascension to superstardom, he also aided in Jordan Addison’s impressive rookie season this year, as well as the development of players like K.J. Osborn and Jalen Nailor.
McCardell, who spent 16 seasons as a prolific receiver in the NFL, has the makings of a future coordinator and perhaps a future head coach. The Vikings hope to have him back in 2024, but it seems like it’s just a matter of time until the 54-year-old gets a bigger opportunity somewhere.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently named McCardell as an “underrated coordinator candidate” in this year’s hiring cycle.
The Vikings’ wide receivers coach is probably still better known for his 16-year playing career, when he topped 1,000 yards for the Buccaneers and Jaguars. But he’s had a direct hand in the instant stardom of both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Several clubs have eyed him as a potential coordinator, but at 54, it’s a surprise he hasn’t already gotten a shot.
Eight teams are currently looking for a new offensive coordinator: The Patriots, Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Raiders, Eagles, Saints, and Seahawks. That list may also grow as head coaches are hired in other places. Given the volume of openings, it would be surprising if McCardell doesn’t at least get an interview or two in the coming weeks.
Another name mentioned by Benjamin in his list of underrated coordinator candidates is Zimmer, the former Vikings head coach who has been away from the NFL for the past couple years but seems ready to return in 2024.
The former Vikings head coach hasn’t held an NFL job since 2021, but he’s hinted at a return after spending 2022 as a consultant for Jackson State, aiding a Deion Sanders staff that went 12-1. He’s also got an extensive defensive background that could make him an attractive coordinator for a team in win-now mode, running the Bengals defense for six years prior to his Minnesota post.
Seven teams currently need a new DC, six of which are in the NFC: The Packers, Bears, Giants, Eagles, Commanders, Falcons, and Patriots. Again, that list will be fluid in the next couple weeks as things shake out across the league. Zimmer is certainly qualified enough to land a coordinator job somewhere, but another option would be to take a job as a “senior defensive analyst” or something similar.
