Tag: mike kafka

Report: Pat Shurmur chose Broncos over Bears for OC position

The Bears are searching for a new offensive coordinator, and it appears that one of their top targets decided to go elsewhere.

The Chicago Bears are searching for a new offensive coordinator, and it appears that one of their top targets decided to go elsewhere.

Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is expected to become the Denver Broncos’ new offensive coordinator. Shurmur was a name mentioned as a top candidate for the Bears’ vacant offensive coordinator position, given his ties to Matt Nagy and Andy Reid.

Shurmur had plenty of suitors, the Bears among them, but he chose Denver over Chicago and others, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

A big draw for Shurmur was Broncos quarterback Drew Lock and the young core in place in Denver. That, and Shurmur will have an opportunity to run his offense and call plays, which is something that he wouldn’t have been able to do in Chicago with Nagy in charge of play-calling.

Another name that has been discussed as an offensive coordinator candidate is Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, who also has ties to Nagy. Kafka was expected to be promoted to offensive coordinator if Eric Bieniemy got a head coaching position.

With Bieniemy remaining in Kansas City, Kafka has an opportunity to return to his hometown and serve as offensive coordinator for the Bears.

[lawrence-related id=435588,435510,435431,434982,435429]

Bears should target Mike Kafka as new offensive coordinator

Someone that’s been linked to the Bears as an offensive coordinator candidate is an Andy Reid disciple: Chiefs QBs coach Mike Kafka.

The Bears have taken their time searching for their next offensive coordinator. Perhaps they’re doing their due diligence. Or perhaps they’re waiting for someone currently on a playoff team.

With Pat Shurmur officially off the market, as he’s expected to join Denver as their new offensive coordinator, another name that’s been linked to the Bears is another Andy Reid disciple: Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka.

Kafka has ties to Bears coach Matt Nagy, as both worked on Reid’s coaching staff in 2017, where Nagy served as offensive coordinator and Kafka as an offensive quality control coach. Before that, Kafka played as a backup quarterback with the Eagles during Nagy’s time as an offensive assistant in Philadelphia with Reid.

Kafka is an option that makes the most sense, especially now with Shurmur off the market. The Chiefs can deny the Bears the ability to interview Kafka, but Reid is someone that tends to encourage his guys to move up the ranks.

While Kafka was expected to be promoted to Chiefs offensive coordinator after Eric Bieniemy got a head coaching gig, that didn’t go as planned. Bieniemy will remain with the Chiefs next season.

Two years ago, Kafka joined Reid’s staff in Kansas City, where he quickly rose up the ranks. Many believe that Kafka could wind up with a head coaching gig within the next two years.

Then there’s the hometown element. Kafka is from Chicago and played for and coached at Northwestern, which you have to figure would make Chicago an attractive option.

[lawrence-related id=435588,435510,435431,434982,435500]

Report: Pat Shurmur expected to become Broncos’ new offensive coordinator

The Bears are currently searching for their new offensive coordinator, and a name that was linked heavily to them is now off the market.

The Chicago Bears are currently searching for their new offensive coordinator, and a name that was linked heavily to them is now off the market.

Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is expected to become the Denver Broncos’ new offensive coordinator, according to NFL insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

Shurmur had interest from multiple teams with offensive coordinator vacancies, and you have to believe the Bears were one of them.

Ultimately, Shurmur’s decision to join Vic Fangio’s staff gives him an opportunity to call plays and run his offense, something that he wouldn’t have been able to do in Chicago with Matt Nagy calling the plays.

With Shurmur off the market, another name that has been floated around as a possibility for Bears offensive coordinator has been Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, who has ties to Matt Nagy.

With Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy not landing a head coaching position, that’ll give Kafka an opportunity to explore offensive coordinator opportunities, perhaps in his hometown of Chicago.

[lawrence-related id=435510,435431,434982,435500,435429]

7 coaches who could replace Brian Daboll as Bills’ offensive coordinator

The Buffalo Bills may need a new offensive coordinator, should the Cleveland Browns hire Brian Daboll. Here are seven potential candidates.

The Buffalo Bills may soon commence an unexpected search for a new offensive coordinator.

Current Bills’ offensive play-caller Brian Daboll is reportedly one of three finalists for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching vacancy, impressing Cleveland brass with a “strong interview,” per ESPN.

Though Buffalo’s offense largely struggled under Daboll’s watch, his departure would leave a glaring hole on the team’s coaching staff. Quarterback Josh Allen impressed under Daboll’s tutelage, evolving from a project into a serviceable NFL starter with an incredibly high ceiling.

Replacing Daboll would be no easy task for the Bills. Here are seven candidates they should look at, should the Browns ultimately poach Daboll.

Chad Hall

Buffalo Bills wide receivers coach Chad Hall (Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

Though unknown to a large portion of the Buffalo faithful, Chad Hall would perhaps be a front-runner for the team’s potential vacancy at offensive coordinator.

A former NFL wide receiver, Hall has been part of head coach Sean McDermott’s coaching staff since his arrival at One Bills Drive in 2017. Hall initially joined the staff as an offensive assistant, primarily aiding in the wide receivers room.

He retained that title in 2018 before being promoted to wide receivers coach in 2019, helping the Bills’ receiving corps construct an overall productive year in which John Brown caught a career-high 72 passes for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns.

With just three years of NFL coaching under his belt, Hall is still relatively inexperienced. He’s yet to call a play in the NFL, and at just 33 years of age, he’d be the league’s third-youngest offensive coordinator.

Yet, there’s something to be said for continuity. He’s well-liked within Buffalo’s front office, this made evident by his promotion to wide receivers coach last offseason. He’s also been around throughout McDermott’s entire stint as Bills’ head coach, already understanding his demands and offensive preferences.

Though the leap to offensive coordinator after just one year as a position coach could be steep, it’s one that Buffalo may be confident that Hall could handle.

[lawrence-related id=53470]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

8 candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles offensive coordinator

8 candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles offensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles now formally have two coaching vacancies after Doug Pederson backtracked on his Wednesday comments, and fired Mike Groh (OC) and Carson Walch (WR).

On Thursday, Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles had parted ways with their offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach after a rough season that saw skill players regress.

With the Eagles signing Carson Wentz to a longterm deal and the franchise focused on returning to the Super Bowl, here are 8 potential replacements at offensive coordinator for the recently fired Mike Groh.

***

1. Duce Staley — Eagles assistant head coach

Staley is currently the Eagles running backs coach and also the assistant head coach. Staley, the fifth-leading rusher in franchise history, knows the franchise, has been around some creative offensive play-callers and would have no problem holding quarterback Carson Wentz accountable.

When Pederson promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator, it was in part because Groh was more involved with the passing game daily.

With Staley being responsible for the emergence of Boston Scott and Miles Sanders, Staley could get the look.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

5 candidates for Bears offensive coordinator

Following the Bears’ offensive struggles in 2019, they wasted no time in firing OC Mark Helfrich. Now, Matt Nagy is looking for a new OC.

Following the Bears’ offensive struggles in 2019, they wasted no time cleaning part of the house with the firings of four coaches, including offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich.

The Bears now have an offensive coordinator vacancy, and there are several options head coach Matt Nagy is surely looking at. While Nagy serves as play-caller — and likely will remain as such in 2020 — he’ll be looking for someone to better assist him in the development of the play sheet throughout the week as they look to right the broken ship that is Chicago’s offense.

Here are five candidates that could land the Bears’ offensive coordinator position:

1. Mike Kafka

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

When you take a look at all the candidates, Mike Kafka is one that probably makes the most sense. He has the Andy Reid connection — and a connection to Matt Nagy. Kafka played as a backup quarterback with the Eagles during Nagy’s time as an offensive assistant in Philadelphia with Reid.

Nagy is quite familiar with Kafka, whose is from Chicago and went to Northwestern. You have to imagine this would be an enticing opportunity for him.

Obviously, Reid would have to sign off on Kafka going to Chicago, but Reid is someone that tends to encourage his guys to move up the ranks. The only thing stopping him would likely be if Eric Bienemy lands a head coaching job and Reid decides to promote Kafka to Chiefs offensive coordinator.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

8 Possible candidates for the OC position if Eagles part ways with Mike Groh

James Urban among candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles OC

[jwplayer w7ljvvJ7]

The Philadelphia Eagles have had a difficult season thus far but still, control their own destiny in the weak NFC East.

The format is simple for Philadelphia, win the next four straight — all divisional opponents — and host a Wild Card one month from now. Even with a playoff run, the Eagles will most certainly make changes to personnel and the coaching staff.

[lawrence-related id=626844,626815]

On Monday, ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen was a guest on SportsCenter and had this to say about the Eagles.

“Barring a run in the playoffs, I would say there’s going to be some significant changes on the Philadelphia staff.”

Mortensen was simply making a hypothesis, as there’s been no indication from inside the organization that any changes are coming.

Philadelphia is now 5-7 after a loss to 3-9 Miami Dolphins, a game in which the Eagles stopped running the ball after taking a 28-14 lead. With the Eagles signing Carson Wentz to a longterm deal and the franchise focused on returning to the Super Bowl, here are 7 potential replacements at offensive coordinator if the team moves on from Mike Groh.

***

1. Duce Staley — Eagles assistant head coach

Staley is currently the Eagles running backs coach and also the assistant head coach. Staley, the fifth-leading rusher in franchise history, knows the franchise, has been around some creative offensive play-callers and would have no problem holding quarterback Carson Wentz accountable.

Pederson previously promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator, in part because Groh was more involved with the passing game daily.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8