Longtime Vikings Coach Lands New Gig in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, much like the Mike Zimmer-era Minnesota Vikings, don’t formally employ a standalone defensive coordinator. Head coach Todd Bowles encompassed the title in 2022 and appears set on the same arrangement in 2023.
But this go-round, he’ll utilize a Vikings coach from the same Zimmer era as a linebackers coach — George Edwards.
Longtime Vikings Coach Lands New Gig in Tampa Bay
FOX Sports’ Greg Auman tweeted Tuesday, “Another big hire for Todd Bowles’ Bucs staff: George Edwards has agreed to join as OLBs coach. Edwards and Bowles coached together in Cleveland and Miami. He was with Cowboys last three years.”
Edwards was the Vikings co-defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2019, otherwise known as the supreme defensive era of Zimmer football in Minnesota. Now, he’ll coach linebackers in Tampa Bay, including Shaquil Barrett, Lavonte David (a free agent), Devin White, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
The Dallas Cowboys surprisingly cut ties with Edwards about a month ago, a move not necessarily adored by Cowboys players or fans. Edwards is considered “one of the good guys” around the league — revered, even — so his exit from Dallas in 2023 is akin to the Vikings theoretically telling wide receiver Keenan McCardell “goodbye” after the Vikings lost to the New York Giants in the playoffs. Of course, that did happen for McCardell — because he’s one of the good guys — but the Edwards departure from Dallas seemed odd.
Edwards worked for the Vikings for the first six years of Zimmer’s tenure, a sidekick of sorts. And the 56-year-old’s tenure exactly aligned with the Vikings leaguewide defensive mastery. From 2014 to 2019 — or the Edwards Era — the Vikings ranked first in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play. After he left, from 2020 to present, Minnesota has ranked 20th in the same metric, a nasty 19-spot drop in the last three years.
When Edwards was not welcomed back to Dallas for the 2023 campaign, All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons paid tribute to Edwards on Twitter, “All I can say is thank you! Not for taking a kid from Harrisburg but for raising me like I was one of your own! I wouldn’t have made so many leaps with out you! You will be missed! #love.”
Before joining the Vikings nine years ago, Edwards was employed by the Miami Dolphins (2012-2013, linebackers coach), Buffalo Bills (2010-2011, defensive coordinator), Dolphins (2005-2009, linebackers coach), Cleveland Browns (2004, linebackers coach), Washington Commanders (2002-2003, linebackers coach then defensive coordinator). The Cowboys actually granted Edwards his first NFL job in 1998 as linebackers coach, where he remained for four seasons. That’s where Zimmer and Edwards presumably met.
The Buccaneers ranked 13th leaguewide in 2022 per defensive DVOA, so Edwards joins a decent program.
The Vikings will play the Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2023.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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