Brad Childress appeared to be riding off into the sunset of an NFL career. He had purchased a home in Minnesota, as well as a place in Florida, and plans were in place for him to step away from the game.
But then he changed his mind. Unlike his former quarterback Brett Favre, there were no press conferences, or live televised rides from the airport to the team headquarters.
All it took to rejuvenate his career was a promotion and a chance for him to get back to the way things used to be.
Childress told USA Today that opportunity happened shortly after former Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Doug Pederson agreed to take over as Philadelphia’s head coach.
That vacancy left an opportunity for Childress, who along with Chiefs quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy, became co-offensive coordinators in Kansas City – right alongside Chilly’s good friend Andy Reid.
The promotion puts Childress in a very unique position.
3 current NFL coordinators with winning records as NFL head coaches: Wade Phillips (82-64), Mike Smith (66-46) and Brad Childress (39-35).
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2016
Childress spent 4 1/2 seasons as the Vikings head coach. During the first four years, the team got better every year, going from 6-10, to 8-8, to 10-6, to 12-4. He led the Vikings to consecutive NFC North titles in 2008 and ’09, and led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game, falling just short of the Super Bowl in an overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints.
But things fell apart quickly in 2010, and the Star Tribune notes “frayed relationships with players” played a role in Minnesota’s decision to make a change.
But times have changed, and Reid thinks Chilly has learned a “hell of a lot” since then.
“Brad should be a head coach again,” Reid told USA Today. “He should get another shot.”
But at 60 years old, will he? Time is not on Childress’ side. If that second chance for Childress never comes, he seems content with what he’s accomplished.
Brad Childress: 'I still stand by my record' with the #Vikings https://t.co/puxvWXgU3P
— Jason Gonzalez (@HeyJGon) August 22, 2016
With an over .500 career mark, and two NFC North titles in four seasons with the Vikings – why shouldn’t he?
