Pat Shurmur to replace Norv Turner as OC, says rumor mill

Pat Shurmur has joined the Vikings coaching staff in an as-yet-unannounced capacity, and some folks are convinced Norv Turner will be out as a result.

Depending on which Twitter “insider” you choose to believe, Pat Shurmur is either going to replace Norv Turner as Vikings offensive coordinator or work alongside Turner as a de facto co-offensive coordinator. Or perhaps take a modest job as the Vikings’ running backs coach.

However his role ultimately shakes out, Shurmur is officially part of the staff and it seems safe to assume a man with his experience will have a pretty major role in running the offense.

Shurmur’s resume includes just about every possible offensive coaching role you care to name. Before joining the NFL ranks, he was tight ends coach and O-line coach at Michigan State and O-line coach at Stanford. He coached tight ends and O-line in Philly then coached quarterbacks.

Shurmur then served a stint as OC in St. Louis before becoming head coach of Cleveland. He went back to Philly as OC under Chip Kelly then served one game as interim head coach after Kelly was let go.

You name it, Shurmur has done it. Throughout his career as an NFL coach he has been a major proponent of the West Coast offense as practiced by his former mentor Andy Reid.

Shurmur’s adherence to the WC is what makes this hire so intriguing. The Vikings under Norv Turner attempted to run a variation on the Air Coryell system but had difficulty implementing the vital deep passing aspect of the offense and were forced to adjust in order to save Teddy Bridgewater from being beaten up.

The Vikings’ offense improved after Turner tweaked his scheme to emphasize short passing over deep drops and pushing the ball down the field, but it was not enough to get the Vikings over the hump.

Frustration over the lack of consistent offensive production no-doubt was behind the organization’s decision to add another offensive mind in Pat Shurmur. Even if Turner stays, Shurmur’s West Coast experience could be helpful in getting Teddy Bridgewater to the next level.

What Shurmur’s hiring signals above all else is the Vikings’ desire to move on from Norv Turner’s passing principles and implement an offense that better takes advantage of Bridgewater’s skills.

Next: Vikings reportedly sign Terrell Sinkfield

Bridgewater’s funky mechanics mean he is not a particularly accurate thrower in the intermediate-to-deep range. But his short accuracy is strong and his pocket presence is undeniable. An offense that allows Bridgewater to thrive, instead of forcing him to do things he’s not good at, is precisely what the Vikings need if they want to take the next step in 2016.

Now we wait to see how the dynamics work out between Turner and Shurmur. As of now, Turner is still on the staff and if you hear otherwise it’s mere rumor-mongering.