Minnesota Vikings: 5 Offensive coordinator candidates to consider
4. Hue Jackson, former Cleveland Browns head coach
When it comes to the offensive coordinator position in Minnesota, former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson’s name has been floated around as a potential candidate in the past and that could once again be the case this time around if Gary Kubiak does retire.
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Jackson, who turned 55 years old last October, has a strong tie to Mike Zimmer and their relationship branches back quite a bit throughout both of their coaching careers. Two years ago, Jackson’s name was among the candidates considered for the offensive coordinator position with the Vikings, only to have Minnesota go in a different direction.
Jackson most recently coached in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 as the organization’s special assistant to the head coach. Before that, he was most notably head coach in Cleveland from 2016-18 before being let go.
Jackson and Zimmer have a relationship that branches back to their time together in Cincinnati nearly 10 years ago, when they were both assistant coaches with the Bengals. As far as NFL coaching experience goes for Jackson, he has spent time with the Washington Redskins (2001-03), Bengals (2004-06, 2012-15) Atlanta Falcons (2007), Baltimore Ravens (2008-09), Oakland Raiders (2010-11) and Browns.
How likely it would be for Minnesota to bring in Jackson to take over play-calling duties on offense if Kubiak does retire is yet to be seen. But the fact that he and Zimmer already have a relationship that branches back years would make him a prime candidate.