In-demand NFL coaching candidate may already have his QB picked out
It’s as simple as this — to be a successful NFL coach, you need to have good players, especially a quarterback.
So what team wouldn’t want to hire a coach and get a starting quarterback at the same time?
One hot name making the rumor mill these days is Pat Shurmur. He’s the offensive coordinator for the red-hot Vikings, and former head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
The New York Post reports the Giants spent Saturday in Minnesota interviewing Shurmur, who might actually bring his own quarterback to his next job.
Sam Bradford was under center for the Vikings when the season started, but then suffered (another) knee injury.
Former top pick Teddy Bridgewater has made a courageous comeback from a catastrophic knee injury just to make it back to the active squad. But still, he’s only thrown two passes this year (and one was intercepted).
That leaves Case Keenum.
If his name rings a bell, it’s probably because he’s been around for a few years, and was actually the Opening Day starter for the Rams last year — ahead of No. 1 pick Jared Goff.
Shurmur has made Keenum into the NFL’s feel-good story this season, leading Minnesota to the second seed in the NFC.
To say that Keenum had a “career” year would be an understatement. His 22 touchdowns is nearly half of his career total of 46, and he’s won 11 of his last 12 games.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that if Shurmur lands a head coaching job, he may very well take Keenum with him as an unofficial “package deal.”
The coach and quarterback have developed a very close relationship, according to Schefter, which could play well for a team looking for an answer at quarterback, like say, Arizona, which last week lost coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer to retirement.
Of course, the Giants may or may not be looking for help, depending on what happens with Eli Manning. While ownership has said it wants the two-time Super Bowl MVP to stay, the team also has the second pick in the draft, and is expected to draft either Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold. It’s not clear whether Keenum would be interested in a spot where he may only serve as a stopgap.
Despite their close relationship, Shurmur could very well be leaving without Keenum. He’s received interest from the Lions (who have Matthew Stafford) and Bears (Mitchell Trubisky), two teams that would not be landing spots for the 29-year old quarterback.
There is, certainly, the possibility that Keenum re-signs with Minnesota, who has its own questions. Bridgewater and Bradford haven’t proven their health yet, and all three quarterbacks are free agents.
The coaching and quarterback carousel always provides enjoyment for NFL fans, and this offseason promises to be no different.
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