Vikings reportedly need to hire their sixth offensive coordinator since 2014
By Adam Patrick
Gary Kubiak is reportedly leaving his role as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator.
During a season that was full of disappointment for the Minnesota Vikings, the offense was the unit that provided most of the excitement throughout the 2020 campaign.
The Vikings offense finished the year ranked fourth in total yards, fifth in rushing, 14th in passing, and 11th in scoring. Minnesota’s total yardage ranking is the highest it has ever been since Mike Zimmer became the team’s head coach in 2014.
Heading into the 2021 offseason, many were looking forward to the Vikings having some continuity with their offense for the first time in a while. But now it doesn’t appear like that is going to happen.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly need another new offensive coordinator
Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of their final game of the 2020 season, Minnesota already has to deal with some major changes.
According to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio on Monday, Gary Kubiak will reportedly retire and leave his position as the Vikings offensive coordinator. Kubiak first joined Minnesota’s staff in 2019 as an assistant head coach/offensive advisor.
With Monday’s news, the next Vikings offensive coordinator will be the team’s sixth since Zimmer was hired to be the team’s head coach in 2014.
Two of Minnesota’s previous five offensive coordinators have voluntarily stepped down (Kubiak and Norv Turner), two have left to land head coaching jobs elsewhere (Pat Shurmur and Kevin Stefanski), and one was fired before finishing their first year with the team (John DeFilippo).
It will be interesting to see how the Vikings approach their latest search for a new offensive coordinator. Will they stick with someone who is already on their coaching staff like they did with Shurmur and Stefanski or will they take a chance like they did with DeFilippo and bring someone in from the outside?
Whatever happens, Minnesota should make sure they find someone for the role as quickly as they can so that the new guy can get to work with Kirk Cousins and the rest of the team’s offensive playmakers.