The Minnesota Vikings could be looking for a new offensive coordinator, so who could they hire?
With the offseason now underway for the Minnesota Vikings, shifts in the coaching staff and within the depth chart on the team will begin to take place while other teams in the NFL kick off postseason play.
After Minnesota failed to reach the playoffs following a 7-9 finish to the regular season, it’s now time for the organization to shift its focus on the 2021 season and how the team will look both on and off the field next year.
Along with the changes that might end up taking place, the Vikings might be looking for a new offensive coordinator once again following rumors of a potential departure by the coach that currently occupies that position.
Shortly after Minnesota’s regular-season finale, rumors began to swirl surrounding Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and his future both with the organization and in the NFL as an offensive play-caller.
On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Kubiak is “leaning towards retirement,” which would result in Minnesota looking for its sixth offensive coordinator in the last six years.
From The Aftermath on @nflnetwork: #Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is leaning towards retirement -- a decision that would force Mike Zimmer to seek his sixth OC in six years. pic.twitter.com/IlsMQ7u6w0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 4, 2021
The next day, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was asked about Kubiak’s status for 2021 during his season-ending press conference with media, with Zimmer saying Kubiak was going to “take some time” to address his future with the team and his health in general leading up to the new year.
Coach Zimmer says Gary Kubiak will take some to make a decision on his future pic.twitter.com/DpUdDzrS7A
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 5, 2021
Kubiak, who will turn 60 years old in August, just wrapped up his second season with the Vikings in 2020 and his first as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Kubiak joined Minnesota prior to the 2019 season as assistant head coach and offensive advisor, stepping into his new role following the departure of Kevin Stefanski who took the head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns.
Under the direction of Kubiak, the Vikings offense was solid once again this year, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver duo of Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Minnesota averaged 393.3 yards per game (fourth-best in NFL) while averaging 26.9 points per game (11th in NFL). The Vikings threw for 250.6 yards per contest (14th in NFL) along with 142.7 rushing yards a game (fifth in NFL).
Kubiak has done a nice job leading the offensive side of things in Minnesota, but he might be on his way out before the 2021 season begins. While the Vikings prepare to potentially look for yet another offensive coordinator, let’s take a look at some options that could lead that area of the team next year and beyond.
5. Ken Zampese, Washington Football Team quarterbacks coach
Although this candidate is viewed as more so of an outside chance at landing the offensive coordinator spot in Minnesota, the Vikings could add current Washington Football Team quarterback coach Ken Zampese to the list of candidates if the play-calling role indeed opened up this offseason.
Zampese is someone that has ties to the Vikings organization and coaching staff, most notably his ties with current Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer. Zampese and Zimmer worked together earlier in their coaching careers while in Cincinnati, with Zampese serving 13 years as the quarterbacks coach and two years as the offensive coordinator for the Bengals from 2003-17.
Zampese is a coach with plenty of experience, having turned 53 last July while holding 22 years of coaching experience in the NFL. Outside of working for Washington and Cincinnati, Zampese has coached professional with the Philadelphia Eagles (1998), Green Bay Packers (1999) and St. Cloud Rams (2000-02). He has also coached at the collegiate level and with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football league.
Another odd tie to Minnesota outside of Zimmer that Zampese has is that he currently works under Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner, who is the son of former Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
Zampese isn’t a likely candidate to take over at offensive coordinator if and when Minnesota needs to fill that position, but keep an eye on his name if there is indeed a search for a new play-caller.