Young Vikings Coach Interviews with Texans for 2023 Gig
Dustin Baker
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Various Minnesota Vikings coaches are receiving attention around the league for offensive coordinator consideration. Brian Angelichio, Keenan McCardell, and Jerrod Johnson are among the contenders, interviewing for jobs with the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
And last weekend, Jerrod Johnson’s interview portfolio expanded as the 34-year-old chatted with the Houston Texans about a senior offensive position, according to KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson.
“The Texans interviewed highly regarded Minnesota Vikings assistant and former Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson for a senior offensive assistant staff position, according to a league source,” Wilson wrote Sunday.
Johnson also interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers a couple of weeks ago after Chargers skipper Brandon Staley fired 2022 offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Young Vikings Coach Interviews with Texans for 2023 Gig
Johnson, the Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach in 2022, is from Houston, and Wilson described the Texans fascination with his resume, “A former Elite 11 quarterback, Johnson has also coached for the San Francisco 49ers under a Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship. He was promoted two years ago to his previous role with the Colts. He interviewed two years ago for the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coaching position.”
The Houston native joined the Vikings staff less than a year ago when Minnesota welcomed new head coach Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams. Before the recent Vikings gig, Johnson was the Indianapolis Colts offensive quality control coach.
Johnson also played eight years of quasi-professional football (NFL, CFL, IFL, and UFL) before turning to coaching. He last appeared in the NFL during practice-squad stops with the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in 2016. And at Texas A&M over a decade ago, Johnson was a Consensus 2nd-team All-Big 12 in 2009. He played basketball for the Aggies, too.
With Johnson’s help, the Vikings passing game ranked 15th leaguewide in 2022 per passing DVOA. The Texans offense ranked 31st in the same metric and 31st per overall offense DVOA in 2022. Houston is expected to draft a quarterback with the 2nd overall pick in April, although the identity of that young passer is unclear.
Vikings passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio has advanced to Round 2 of interviews for the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator job. Keenan McCardell is vying for the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Current Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips passed on consideration for the Los Angeles Chargers OC job, reportedly saying the Vikings are “building something he wants to see through.”
New Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is reportedly interviewing Chris Harris and Marquand Manuel, among others, for the defensive coordinator position.
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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