The Viking Age
FanSided

5 Vikings assistants who could be a head coach in 2021

By Nik Edlund

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Minnesota Vikings defense line coordinator Andre PattersonGeorge Edwards looks on in the fourth quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Minnesota Vikings defense line coordinator Andre PattersonGeorge Edwards looks on in the fourth quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) Rick Dennison – Minnesota Vikings /

Rick Dennison

Rick Dennison isn’t a sexy name amongst NFL coaches, but he does have a ton of coaching experience. He could be considered for a head coaching job at the end of the year, for a team wanting a veteran to be their new man in charge.

Dennison has been coaching since 1995. Despite being a linebacker during is brief NFL stint, he’s primarily coached offense in his 25 seasons in the league. He’s been an offensive assistant, an offensive line coach, and had a couple of stints as offensive coordinator with Buffalo, Denver, and Houston. He also spent one season in Baltimore as their quarterbacks coach.

It’s clear Dennison knows offense and has been a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams, and has a .500 or better record in 19 of his NFL seasons. One thing Dennison hasn’t been yet is a head coach. That could change by seasons’ end if the Vikings offensive line shows improvement and the running game is as successful as many think it can be.

Dennison could have one of his most challenging seasons ahead of him as an offensive line coach. While the Vikings are set at the tackle positions and center, their guard situation is a mess. Whether it’s Pat Elflein and Dru Samia, or some other combination, chances are one of the players who start will have a lack of experience.

This is where Dennison can come in and shine. If he can turn a player like Samia or Udoh into a strength and the Vikings’ offensive line is dominating in pass protection and running the ball, other teams will take notice. They’ll want to talk to the man who engineered this turnaround and consider him to be the leader of their teams.

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