Bill Musgrave Is a Candidate to Become OC in Oakland

Bill Musgrave didn’t get a lot of love from fans in his time as offensive coordinator in Minnesota, but the feeling is different in NFL circles. Clearly, Musgrave has some fans in NFL front offices because he keeps scoring jobs.

More from Vikings Rumors

• Vikings Rumors: Minnesota was trying to trade Kirk Cousins at the Combine
• Vikings odds to trade for Lamar Jackson are soaring
• Vikings Rumors: Former Chiefs receiver is on Minnesota’s radar
• Vikings Rumors: Trade calls about Danielle Hunter have been made
• Vikings Rumors: Minnesota looking to shakeup their running back room

Last year, Musgrave bounced back from his firing as Vikings OC by landing a gig as QB coach in Philadelphia. In that capacity, Musgrave helped backup QB Mark Sanchez play better – in spots – than most people thought he ever could.

Musgrave now may be ready to parlay his one year of success in Philly into an even sweeter gig. ESPN reports that Musgrave is a candidate to take over the offensive coordinator position under new head coach Jack Del Rio in Oakland.

The Raiders are reportedly also looking at former Bears OC Marc Trestman. If you want more Minnesota connections, the Raiders have already plucked former Vikings head coach Mike Tice to be their O-line coach.

The Seahawks may be “Minnesota West” when it comes to on-field talent but the Raiders look like they’re trying to become “Minnesota West” on the coaching staff.

If Musgrave lands the job in Oakland it would be his fifth crack at being an offensive coordinator in the NFL. He was briefly the OC in Philly and then Carolina years ago, then for a couple years in Jacksonville and then of course for three years with the Vikings.

In his three years in Minnesota, Musgrave proved himself to be fairly imaginative in terms of scheming, showing particular aptitude in using the multi-talented Percy Harvin.

As a matter of fact, the argument could be made that Musgrave got more out of Harvin than any other offensive coordinator before or since. Of course, the Vikings had nothing else at the time receiver-wise, so forcing the ball to Harvin play-after-play was less a matter of choice than necessity.

If Musgrave failed anywhere in Minnesota it wasn’t in scheming but in-game adjustment. His conservative, predictable playcalling often angered fans…but then again, when are fans ever truly satisfied with the playcalling?

Who knows what might have been for Musgrave in Minnesota had the Vikings given him a real quarterback to work with instead of Christian Ponder. If the Raiders hire him, he’ll get to work with a much more talented young QB in Derek Carr. Maybe this will be the job that finally shows what a great offensive mind Musgrave has.

Or, maybe Musgrave will wash out again.