Could the Minnesota Vikings replace Gary Kubiak in 2021?
It is sure to be another big offseason period for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. They are expected to be really up against it from a salary-cap perspective and some big personnel decisions will need to be made in order for Mike Zimmer’s team to remain competitive.
It might not be just the Vikings roster that undergoes changes though. The play-calling of Minnesota offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s has come into question at times this season and although he has gone back to a tried and tested formula of pounding the rock with Dalvin Cook, it seems like it probably happened a little too late for the team to become serious postseason challengers.
Whether this will result in Kubiak being replaced this offseason is up for debate. A fresh set of ideas from a young, progressive offensive mind might arguably be the best way to go for the Vikings in 2021. But the decision might also be taken out of their hands if the Super Bowl-winning coach gets an enticing offer to become a head coach once again.
During a recent edition of the Bleav in Texans Podcast, Kubiak’s name was touted as a possible candidate to take over the Houston Texans next season. It would be an intriguing option for the current Minnesota offensive coordinator thanks to the presence of Deshaun Watson under center in Houston.
If this is something that ends up happening, who are some of the dream candidates that the Vikings could pick to replace Kubiak in 2021?
Candidate No. 1
Mike McDaniel
If Minnesota is intent on making their running game the focal point moving forward, then Mike McDaniel is a name that warrants serious consideration. The current run game coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers is held in high regard and he has done a tremendous job since joining the organization.
McDaniel would no doubt jump at the chance to work with Dalvin Cook, who has been the NFL’s best running back this season by a considerable margin. One only has to look at how much he’s gotten out of a committee backfield in San Francisco to see what a difference he could make if Kubiak departed for pastures new or was let go.
Dave Canales
The Vikings have some outstanding weapons in the passing game and although Gary Kubiak has reverted back to a run-first mentality after a 1-5 start to the season, they can still make their presence felt at big moments.
If the organization ends up going in a different direction from Kubiak, then someone like Dave Canales should be high on the shortlist. The respected figure is the current passing game coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and he is highly thought of by star quarterback Russell Wilson.
It does appear like Canales would be a good fit in Minnesota should they choose to go in this particular direction. He has worked wonders with Wilson since joining Pete Carroll’s staff and this could result in some attractive offers once the current season concludes.
One possible complication is whether Canales wants to make the necessary step up. He has been with the Seahawks since 2010 and he seems happy enough in his current role despite obvious overtures from elsewhere.
Taking on a coordinator position or even a head coaching job isn’t for everybody. Canales might be content in a critical role behind the scenes at this juncture. But the Vikings should at least put out a feeler regarding his interest.
Mike Kafka
It would take a pretty good offer to get Mike Kafka out of his current job. The current Kansas City Chiefs passing game coordinator is seeing his reputation grow with every passing week and his influence in making Patrick Mahomes a star is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
That being said, if Kafka was to move, then the Vikings could be in the driver’s seat. He spent some time with Minnesota during his playing days without ever making a regular-season appearance and the offer to become the new leader of the team’s offense would undoubtedly be tempting given the talented playmakers the Vikings currently have on the offensive side of the ball.
Much will depend on whether current Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy finally gets a head coaching job he deserves this offseason. Bieniemy is sure to be highly coveted after helping transform the Kansas City offense in recent years and if he departs, then the team might decide to promote Kafka into the vacant role.
This would be a blow to anyone looking to snatch him away from the Chiefs. Kafka has built a strong relationship with Mahomes and he is a trusted figure within the franchise that would be incredibly hard to replace.
Kansas City’s loss would definitely be Minnesota’s gain and if Gary Kubiak moves on for whatever reason, Kafka might even be the Vikings’ top priority in the hope he could bring some of the Chiefs’ magic to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Weiss
Matt Weiss has steadily risen through the ranks with the Baltimore Ravens and he has worked wonders as their run game coordinator since he was promoted to the role in 2018. Much of this success has to do with the elite production in this statistic from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
So out of all the potential options available, Weiss would be one of the biggest gambles for the Vikings to consider.
There is nothing to suggest Weiss couldn’t thrive with more responsibility on his shoulders. He is sure to have picked up a tremendous amount during his 12-year stay in Baltimore so far and it might be the spark behind even more improvements in the Minnesota running attack.
Weiss has been credited for plenty of the Ravens’ success, working alongside offensive coordinator Greg Roman to devise a rushing plan that has seen them become one of the NFL’s best at gaining yards on the ground.
There is more of a committee feel to Baltimore’s backfield – something which isn’t the case with Dalvin Cook and the Vikings – and this would pose its own problems for a coach who has been more focused on getting more than one back involved.
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Working off a successful running game has been the catalyst behind Minnesota’s success since Cook was drafted in 2017. Appointing someone like Weiss to the offensive coordinator role if Gary Kubiak leaves might be a shrewd move that has the potential to bring even more out of their star player.