Tuesday’s reports that the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants have hired new head coaches means Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski’s chance to land a head coaching job is done to one team.
The Panthers reportedly are hiring Matt Rhule, formerly of the Baylor Bears, while the Giants have reportedly agreed to terms with former Patriots wide receivers coach Joe Judge.
Those moves come on the heels of the Cowboys hiring Mike McCarthy and Washington hiring Ron Rivera, leaving the Browns as the only team currently without a head coach.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns will interview Stefanski in Minnesota this week. Stefanski finished runner-up to Freddie Kitchens in Cleveland’s coaching search a year ago.
“Stefanski “blew away” everyone in the Browns during his interview last year. But then-GM John Dorsey, who led the search last year, called for a second interview with Kitchens, whom they talked to last, and hired him instead.”
Stefanski, with the Vikings since 2006, took over play-calling duties after John DeFilippo was fired midway through the 2018 season. He guided the Vikings to the No. 8 scoring offense this season and helped Kirk Cousins to a 107.4 passer rating, which ranked fourth in the NFL.
The Vikings face the 49ers Saturday at 3:35 p.m. in the NFC Divisional playoffs. If Minnesota wins, they will travel to Green Bay or Seattle for the NFC Championship Game.
