Vikings Coach Named “Underrated” Coordinator Candidate for 2024
Josh Frey
|
Vikings WR coach Keenan McCardell was recently named the NFC offensive coordinator for the Pro Bowl Games.
However, that may not be the last coordinator position in his near future. Though McCardell hasn’t received any interviews for OC positions yet this offseason, he was in the mix for the New England Patriots’ job last offseason before they ultimately hired Bill O’Brien.
Earlier this week, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports penned an article naming underrated coordinator candidates of this year’s hiring cycle, and McCardell’s name was listed amongst the group.
Vikings Coach Named “Underrated” Candidate for Promotion
McCardell has been the Vikings receivers coach for each of the past three seasons, being one of the few staff members to stay in Minnesota during the transition from Mike Zimmer to Kevin O’Connell at head coach. In total, he has nine years of coaching experience at the NFL level, and before that, he played 16 seasons in the league as a receiver himself. Needless to say, he knows the ins and outs of an NFL offense.
Benjamin defended McCardell as an OC candidate, writing, “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.”
Not only has McCardell helped Vikings receivers Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson blossom in the NFL, but he was at the University of Maryland during Stefon Diggs’ collegiate career, again serving as the wide receivers coach.
While McCardell is the current Vikings coach on the list, another former Vikings coach interestingly saw a place here as well. Benjamin also named Zimmer as a potential coordinator candidate.
Zimmer spent eight seasons as Minnesota’s head coach from 2014-2021, and in total, he went 72-56-1 as the skipper of the Vikings’ ship. Minnesota had some fearsome defenses during his tenure as head coach, including the 2017 season in which the Vikings went to the NFC Championship Game.
On Zimmer, Benjamin had this to say, “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.”
Currently, neither McCardell or Zimmer have secured interviews for coordinator positions in the NFL. However, there are still nine vacant positions for 2024 that remain to be filled. Perhaps there is still a chance that McCardell and/or Zimmer can land one.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.