Minnesota struggled to retain offensive coordinators during the Mike Zimmer era.
The Vikings had five. Some, like Pat Shurmur and Kevin Stefanski, left on good terms, while others did not.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Vikings may have to find another one, with current offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak inclined to retire.
Let’s say for a second that Kubiak retires this off-season. Who will the team hire to replace him? Will it be a rental from the inside or will the Vikings look elsewhere?
Here are some likely candidates for the Vikings, if they want to pursue a new offensive coordinator:
Anthony Lynn
Photo: Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
Atlético’s Chad Graff pointed out Anthony Lynn as a potential option for the team.
I think Lynn has a high ceiling and a low floor. The Chargers were disastrous at times when he was the head coach, but if he took on a lesser role than the coach, maybe that could be fixed. In addition, QB Justin Herbert looked good as a rookie and Los Angeles took ninth place in yards per game, losing Austin Ekeler for most of the season.
Klint Kubiak, Vikings QB coach
Photo: AP Photo
ESPN Courtney Cronin suggested Klint Kubiak as a possible candidate. Son of Gary Kubiak, Klint gives some continuity since he is already part of the team. In addition, Minnesota is known for hiring an offensive coordinator from within.
Hue Jackson
Photo: Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
After the 2018 season, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reported that Hue Jackson going to the Vikings was becoming “another real possibility”. Zimmer and Jackson spent time at Bengals.
There is a chance that this will work again with Jackson currently not being in a coaching position. His track record as a head coach is not great, but I think he would probably bring what Zimmer wants for the role of offensive coordinator.
Vikings OL coach Rick Dennison
Photo: Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
Goessling suggested this. As he pointed out, Rick Dennison worked as an offensive coordinator under Gary Kubiak.
The Vikings’ offensive line hasn’t always looked good at times, but it has also improved a bit over the course of the season. He is also the coordinator of the team’s racing game, so I would expect an attack similar to this year’s if he is hired.