Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
First, it was the New Orleans Saints. Now, the Philadelphia Eagles are interviewing former Minnesota Vikings assistant quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson for an offensive coordinator gig.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Wednesday, “Texans’ QB coach Jerrod Johnson interviewed for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator job, per source.”
Eleven and a half months ago, the Houston Texans pilfered Johnson from the Vikings coaching staff, promoting the young skipper to quarterbacks coach and later partnering him with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The connection worked — emphatically.
Now, Johnson may have more lavish aspirations around the bend. Philadelphia currently employs Jalen Hurts at quarterback, and the Eagles will look for new solutions this offseason to fix 2023’s horror show. Nick Siranni and Co. began the season 10-1 and utterly crumbled thereafter, culminating in an embarrassing defeat in the postseason at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Siranni’s job security was questioned for a few days, but he ultimately survived and is now scouring the market for better coordinators. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai was fired earlier this week, and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson won’t return.
Various Vikings coaches received attention around the league for offensive coordinator consideration in 2023. Brian Angelichio and Keenan McCardell interviewed for jobs with the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson was the big catch, accepting the Texans gig, while Angelichio and McCardell stayed with the Vikings in 2023.
Johnson also interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2023 after former Chargers skipper Brandon Staley fired 2022 offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
The homegrown Houstonian, Johnson, joined the Vikings staff in 2022 when Minnesota welcomed new head coach Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams. Before the Vikings gig, Johnson was the Indianapolis Colts offensive quality control coach.
Then in 2023, Johnson and Stroud paired for rookie quarterback immortality as the Texans sprinted to the Divisional Round of the AFC’s postseason, with Stroud on deck to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. That type of production warrants a promotion, probably why the Saints and Eagles are suitors.
Johnson 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, as well.
With Johnson’s assistance, 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 during the same season. With Stroud and Johnson in charge, the offensive DVOA climbed to 14th in 2023 and ranked 10th in passing DVOA.
Assuming the Eagles’ offense will be an “easy” fix — chiefly because Hurts is the quarterback and A.J. Brown + DeVonta Smith outfit the WR corps — Johnson is interviewing for one of the top coordinator jobs in football.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.