There has been a lot of speculation about who the next Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator will be following Gary Kubiak’s retirement. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently announced that the Vikings would interview the New York Giants wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert. But while they say they are conducting a coaching search, the assumption has been that Klint Kubiak will take over for his father as the OC next year.
Well, rookie phenomenon Justin Jefferson might have just leaked that Klint Kubiak has the job. In an interview with Fansided, Jefferson responded to a question asking about the position’s opening by indicating that Klint Kubiak got the job.
“Nothing but respect for coach [Gary Kubiak]. I wish I could have more years with him. I was just getting comfortable with him,” Jefferson said. “But I’m pretty sure Klint [Kubiak] is going to come in and do the same or even better. I’m pretty sure [Gary] is going to give him a little insight and give him some tips on how to call the games.”
It sure looks like Klint is going to take over the role.
It makes sense when looking at the Vikings’ coaching changes this offseason. The Vikings hired Keenan McCardell as their new wide receivers coach, moving last season’s WR coach Andrew Janocko to take Klint’s role as the quarterback coach.
Klint will take control of a top 5 offense in terms of yards. But the offense has been criticized for not being innovative enough and running a predictable offense.
He will also be facing pressure from coach Mike Zimmer, who likely is on the hot seat next season. Zimmer will likely be out of a job if the Vikings get off to another slow start like they did this season. He has also stated that he would like to “add offense” with his new offensive coordinator and build upon what the unit did well last season.
Even though he has never called plays at any level, Klint Kubiak adds something to the team that almost nobody outside of the organization could add: continuity. He would be their sixth offensive coordinator in as many years, and the last offensive coordinator they hired from outside the organization didn’t even last a full season.
Kubiak, 33, might bring more creativity and innovation than we saw from his father last season. He likely will draw on his father’s prior knowledge from calling plays in Denver and with the Vikings last season — if the job is actually his.
