Vikings waiting to speak to Philadelphia assistant about offensive coordinator opening
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo drills with quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during mini camp at NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 13, 2017. Bill Streicher / USA TODAY SportsMINNEAPOLIS — When it comes to talking to Philadelphia quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo about their open offensive coordinator position, the Vikings are in a holding pattern.
A source said Tuesday, Feb. 6, that, as it stands now, the Vikings can't talk with DeFilippo until 10 days after the end of the season for the Eagles, who won Super Bowl LII on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. That would be Feb. 14, when his contract expires. The Vikings are trying to get permission to speak to DeFilippo earlier, but it appears they're willing to wait if the Eagles balk.
The Pioneer Press first reported last week that DeFilippo is a top target to replace Pat Shurmur, named two weeks ago to coach the New York Giants. A source said Tuesday that DeFilippo definitely has interest in the Vikings' job and wants to speak with them.
The Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 for their first Super Bowl win.
The Vikings already have interviewed quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski for the position, as well as former Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Houston quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan and New Orleans assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell.
General manager Rick Spielman said last week that the Vikings planned to interview one or two more candidates for the job and might not make a decision until next week.
DeFilippo, 39, was Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2015. He has been with the Eagles the past two seasons. He has earned rave reviews for helping develop quarterback Carson Wentz, taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft.
When Wentz's season ended with a torn ACL suffered Dec. 10, DeFilippo played an important role in getting replacement Nick Foles up to speed. Foles was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance against the Patriots.
"He's a grinder," Foles said Monday about DeFilippo. "Barely sleeps. Just fundamentals, giving us the game plan, giving us all our checks, extremely detailed. I'm grateful for him. He's done an amazing job this year."
Spielman has said the offensive coordinator hired will play a major role in determining the Vikings' quarterback of the future. Minnesota's three top quarterbacks, Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater, are all in line to become free agents.
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