The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner final week after three seasons with the group. Turner did some good issues throughout his time in Washington, however the offense fading down the stretch and costing the Commanders a playoff spot doomed Turner.
After Turner was fired, we right here at Commanders Wire compiled a listing of 11 attainable candidates to be Washington’s subsequent offensive coordinator. On Friday, it was revealed that the Commanders have been all for former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator. Nevertheless, Caldwell instructed Washington he was solely all for interviewing for head-coaching positions.
One other title has emerged as a candidate for Washington’s vacant offensive coordinator place: Veteran coach Pat Shurmur is a candidate, in response to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Publish.
The Commanders are getting a listing collectively for OC candidates. Jim Caldwell was on the record, however he declined as a result of he is pursuing a head-coaching alternative, as others reported.
Pat Shurmur can also be a candidate, per supply. An necessary issue: a file of growing younger QBs.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 14, 2023
We included Shurmur on our record of 11 candidates.
Shurmur, 57, does have a historical past with head coach Ron Rivera. The pair labored alongside each other on Andy Reid’s employees in Philadelphia from 1999-2003. Additionally on that employees was present Commanders tight ends coach Juan Castillo.
That checks one field
Shurmur additionally has a historical past of working with and growing younger quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb, Sam Bradford and Daniel Jones are among the younger quarterbacks who Shurmur has coached. You might make the argument that Bradford’s greatest success got here beneath Shurmur, and McNabb was one of many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks throughout his time with Shurmur.
This issues as a result of the Commanders have apparently instructed potential candidates that Sam Howell is Washington’s plan at quarterback for 2023.
Along with Shurmur’s time with Philadelphia, the place he coached tight ends, quarterbacks and the offensive line throughout his 10 seasons beneath Reid, he’s additionally a two-time head coach. Shurmur was head coach of the Cleveland Browns for 2 seasons [2011-12] and the New York Giants [2018-19]. Each franchises have been unhealthy earlier than Shurmur took these jobs.
As an offensive coordinator, he has a wonderful resume. In 2017, he was named the Related Press NFL assistant coach of the yr for his work because the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator. He has additionally had stints as offensive coordinator with the Eagles, Rams and Broncos.
Shurmur didn’t coach within the NFL final season. The Broncos fired head coach Vic Fangio after the 2021 season, which left Shurmur and not using a job.
Shurmur could be a strong alternative for Rivera. Whoever Rivera chooses, the subsequent offensive coordinator ought to tailor an offense round Howell slightly than forcing Howell to adapt to their scheme.
Shurmur would examine lots of containers for Rivera and is revered across the NFL.