Tag: Scott Turner

Patriots add to extensive OC search with two new candidates

The Patriots’ extensive offensive coordinator search continues

The New England Patriots have added two more names to their search for a new offensive coordinator. San Francisco 49ers pass game coordinator Klint Kubiak and Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator Scott Turner are the two new candidates, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Kubiak served as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2022 and was the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He also served in the role of quarterbacks coach for the Vikings from 2019-2020.

Turner has been in his position with the Raiders since 2023. He has also worked with the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers. He has experience at the collegiate level as well, serving as an offensive analyst for Michigan in 2017.

The Patriots are interviewing an extensive list of candidates, and it appears Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley could be one of the frontrunners for the position.

Breer wrote:

On offense, Rams tight ends coach and former Patriots assistant Nick Caley will get the first crack at a second interview: He flew in from Los Angeles on Sunday, with dinner that night and meetings Monday. Niners assistants Brian Fleury and Klint Kubiak interviewed along with Lions assistant Tanner Engtrand, and the team plans to talk with Raiders assistant Scott Turner and former Bears OC Luke Getsy. The Patriots also met with former Seahawks OC Shane Waldron, who ultimately landed in Chicago, and Robinson, who we mentioned above is headed for Atlanta.

It will be interesting to see who the Patriots hire, as they look to resurrect an offense that struggled throughout the 2023 season.

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Antonio Gibson likes playing running back, but looking back would choose wide receiver

Wide receivers get paid a lot more and Gibson was a pretty good wide receiver before making the switch to RB.

When the Washington Commanders selected wide receiver Antonio Gibson in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, many fans believed they’d found Terry McLaurin’s sidekick for the next decade.

Gibson, who played for two years at a junior college before enrolling at Memphis, only appeared in five games in 2018. However, in 2019, Gibson would appear in 14 games, where he caught 38 passes for 735 yards and eight touchdowns. Gibson averaged a gaudy 19.3 yards per reception.

Gibson also displayed running back skills, carrying the ball 33 times for 369 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged over 11 yards per carry. He also averaged 28 yards per kickoff return.

When Washington selected Gibson, it believed he was the running back of the future. Before the end of training camp, Gibson was Washington’s starting running back before he ever played a game. The team even cut the legendary Adrian Peterson in training camp.

As a rookie, Gibson rushed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2021, Gibson rushed for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns. He also struggled with fumbles.

Not bad numbers for someone who’d never been a full-time running back — and doing it as a young player in the NFL.

Now entering his fourth season, Gibson is expected to play more of a third-down role, meaning he’ll be much more involved in the passing game, which excites him.

On Wednesday, Kay Adams of FanDuel TV was in Ashburn for Commanders training camp. She spoke to Gibson and asked him about playing running back and his time as a wide receiver. Adams asked Gibson if he ever thought of switching positions.

“Not switching now, I’m fine where I’m at, you know I got well acclimated, but if I definitely had the choice, I’d probably stay at receiver,” Gibson said. ‘I enjoy receiver, I always loved it, but I’m having fun with this running back role, especially over the years of learning it every year and finally putting it together.”

The question was in reference to the current NFL debate on running back pay.

You can’t blame Gibson. For one, wide receivers, even average ones, get paid well while the top running backs are being squeezed. And Gibson was a dynamic receiver before making the switch to running back.

Could Carson Wentz be the Raiders quarterback in 2023?

If Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t ready for training camp, could Wentz be an option for the Raiders? Some believe so.

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Could former Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz be back in the NFL with a new team soon?

According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, the Las Vegas Raiders could turn to Wentz if quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s foot injury isn’t ready for the season. When they signed him, the Raiders knew of Garoppolo’s foot injury, even adding a clause in his three-year contract to protect the team if he can’t pass a physical.

However, head coach Josh McDaniels has remained confident in Garoppolo’s return.

But if he’s not ready, here’s what Gutierrez wrote about the Raiders potentially signing Wentz:

If the Raiders have to look elsewhere, free agent Carson Wentz would seem to be the best option. Raiders pass game coordinator Scott Turner has experience with Wentz as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator last season, for what it’s worth.

We aren’t sure if Gutierrez watched any of Wentz’s time with Turner last season in Washington or not. It didn’t go well for either man. Why would they want to reunite?

Well, for one, it may not be up to Turner. If the Raiders have no other options, turning to Wentz may truly be the best option. Also, Wentz may have no other option if he wants back in the NFL in 2023 — and he says he does.

It should be an interesting six weeks ahead of training camp.

 

Commanders Jim Hostler not returning to staff in 2023

Jim Hostler will not be back in 2023.

Washington Commanders offensive assistant coach Jim Hostler has been relieved of his duties.

Washington Times reporter Matthew Paras was the first with the breaking news.

It is believed that newly hired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would have control of the offensive staff. Thus, this is the beginning of Bieniemy choosing who remains on the staff and whom he replaces.

Hostler came to Washington in 2020 after having served as wide receivers coach for the Panthers (Ron Rivera) in 2019. In 2021, he became the senior offensive assistant, serving as Scott Turner’s primary aid in forming weekly game plans.

Hostler has coached in the NFL for the past 23 seasons, breaking into the league in the 2000 season with the Kansas City Chiefs as part of Gunther Cunningham’s staff.

He has also worked for the following head coaches: Mike McCarthy (Packers), Jim Haslett (Saints), Herman Edwards (Jets), Mike Nolan (49ers), John Harbaugh (Ravens), Doug Marrone (Bills) and Chuck Pagano (Colts).

Hostler, age 56, prior to his NFL coaching, also gained ten years of coaching experience from 1990-99 at Indiana (PA) and Juniata.

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Former Commanders OC Scott Turner quickly finds new work

Scott Turner lands with the Raiders.

It didn’t take long for a former Washington Commanders coach to find new work.

Scott Turner, who came to Washington from the Carolina Panthers with Ron Rivera in 2020, has been hired by the Las Vegas Raiders Friday.

Turner was fired by Rivera after the Commanders failed to finish with a winning record for the third consecutive season of Rivera’s tenure in Washington.

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels was looking for some help coordinating the passing game and chose the Commanders former offensive coordinator as his man.

Interestingly enough, Turner was actually a backup quarterback at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, receiving a bit of playing time in both 2003 and 2004 under then-head coach John Robinson.

Turner had the misfortune all three seasons in Washington of having a revolving door at the quarterback position, as the Washington offense had its struggles in each season. In total, Washington played eight quarterbacks in Turner’s three seasons (Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz and Sam Howell).

“I’m just happy to be a part of the staff, and it’s obviously coach [Josh] McDaniels’ deal, and I’m just going to be ready to contribute and help the best I can,” Turner said Friday. “I’ll get out there and get a feel for the team. It’s just everything’s so new right now.”

The son of former Redskins head coach Norv Turner played quarterback at Oakton High School [Virginia] while his father was coaching the Burgundy and Gold. Following his playing at UNLV, Turner was a graduate assistant at Oregon State and head coach at South County High School in Virginia.

For the next three seasons, Turner was an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh and, in 2017, on the University of Michigan staff.

Turning to the NFL, Turner served on coaching staffs for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, again the Panthers, and then the last three seasons with Washington.

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Raiders adding UNLV alum, former Commanders OC Scott Turner to staff

Former Commanders OC Scott Turner, UNLV alum, son of Norv Turner joining Raiders to staff

Even without Josh McDaniels letting go of any coaches on his staff from last season, he has added a new assistant. He is former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

Turner was the OC in Washington under Ron Rivera the past three seasons. He’s also the son of former longtime NFL offensive guru and Raiders head coach Norv Turner.

Prior to his three seasons in Washington, Scott was a QB coach with the Panthers for two season and with the Vikings for three season before that.

Cam Newton had his second best season in terms of passing touchdowns (24) and passer rating (94) in 2018 under Turner. And Teddy Bridgewater went to his only Pro Bowl under Turner in 2015.

Does Ron Rivera already have his mind made up on the next offensive coordinator?

Some believe so.

The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner two weeks ago. Since that time, they’ve interviewed Pat Shurmur, [Commanders  QB coach] Ken Zampese, [Falcons QB coach] Charles London and [Dolphins AHC/RB coach] Eric Studesville as potential replacements for Turner.

Washington plans to interview Rams assistant Thomas Brown this week. The Commanders also wanted to interview Jim Caldwell and Darrell Bevell, but they declined the opportunity.

The Commanders appear to be casting a wide net in their search for a new offensive coordinator, even telling interested parties that Sam Howell is the team’s plan at quarterback in 2023.

While it appears Washington is doing its due diligence, is it possible that head coach Ron Rivera already has his mind made up on the next offensive coordinator? According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, that’s what some around the NFL believe.

A lot of people think Ron Rivera is going to hire quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese to be the Commanders’ next offensive coordinator.

If it’s already being speculated that Zampese will be the choice that makes Washington’s search look like a joke. Now, in fairness to Rivera, perhaps this is pure speculation. Maybe Breer asked another coach or GM who he believed Rivera would hire, and the coach/GM answered with Zampese.

Rivera is entering a critical fourth year of his tenure in Washington, and with a potential new owner soon, he needs to win. Would Zampese represent Washington’s best chance to win?

Considering what type of offense Rivera wants to run, we detailed why former Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman would be an ideal choice. However, we have yet to hear of any mutual interest between the two sides.

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Former Commanders OC Scott Turner wasn’t on board with Carson Wentz trade?

Wentz started seven games in 2022.

The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner last season after three seasons with the team. Despite Turner having to start eight different quarterbacks in three seasons, Washington’s offensive failures during an 0-3-1 stretch ended its playoff chances.

Speaking of the quarterback position, last offseason, head coach Ron Rivera went all-in on Russell Wilson. Wilson chose the Denver Broncos, and Rivera should thank Wilson every day for not wanting to come to Washington.

There were rumors of the Commanders wanting Jimmy Garoppolo, but his shoulder injury concerned them. Therefore, Washington turned to Carson Wentz. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay made it clear his team was finished with Wentz — the second team in 12 months to give up on Wentz.

Yet Washington traded two third-round draft picks and traded spots in the second round last year to acquire Wentz. And the Commanders agreed to take on Wentz’s full salary of $28 million.

According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, it’s a move that Turner wasn’t on board with.

One day after losing out on Russell Wilson despite offering multiple first-round picks, Washington sent two third-round choices to Indianapolis for Wentz, a move that offensive coordinator Scott Turner was not on board with, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. As the head of football operations, Rivera makes all the calls. It would be a surprise if he didn’t at least consult with Turner, considering he was his hand-picked offensive coordinator from Carolina.

However, considering Washington’s history under owner Dan Snyder, it wouldn’t be the first time management traded for a veteran quarterback without consulting with the offensive staff. Remember Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan? What about Alex Smith and Jay Gruden?

One interesting nugget is that Rivera signed Turner to a contract extension in the offseason. It was believed to be a two-year extension. When we look back at when Turner signed that extension, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington broke the news on March 13.

The Wentz trade was agreed upon on March 9.

So did Rivera offer Turner an extension to appease him? And why did Turner sign it, considering he didn’t want Wentz? On the last part, we know why Turner signed the extension. He wasn’t in demand around the NFL.

Regardless, the Commanders are looking for a new offensive coordinator in 2023. Whoever Washington hires, the expectation is that Sam Howell will have every opportunity to win the starting quarterback job.

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Former Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is a candidate to be the Commanders offensive coordinator

Pat Shurmur has a positive history of working with young quarterbacks.

The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner last week after three seasons with the team. Turner did some good things during his time in Washington, but the offense fading down the stretch and costing the Commanders a playoff spot doomed Turner.

After Turner was fired, we here at Commanders Wire compiled a list of 11 possible candidates to be Washington’s next offensive coordinator. On Friday, it was revealed that the Commanders were interested in former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator. However, Caldwell told Washington he was only interested in interviewing for head-coaching positions.

Another name has emerged as a candidate for Washington’s vacant offensive coordinator position: Veteran coach Pat Shurmur is a candidate, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

We included Shurmur on our list of 11 candidates.

Shurmur, 57, does have a history with head coach Ron Rivera. The pair worked alongside one another on Andy Reid’s staff in Philadelphia from 1999-2003. Also on that staff was current Commanders tight ends coach Juan Castillo.

That checks one box

Shurmur also has a history of working with and developing young quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb, Sam Bradford and Daniel Jones are some of the young quarterbacks who Shurmur has coached. You could make the argument that Bradford’s best success came under Shurmur, and McNabb was one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks during his time with Shurmur.

This matters because the Commanders have apparently told prospective candidates that Sam Howell is Washington’s plan at quarterback for 2023.

In addition to Shurmur’s time with Philadelphia, where he coached tight ends, quarterbacks and the offensive line during his 10 seasons under Reid, he is also a two-time head coach. Shurmur was head coach of the Cleveland Browns for two seasons [2011-12] and the New York Giants [2018-19]. Both franchises were bad before Shurmur took those jobs.

As an offensive coordinator, he has an excellent resume. In 2017, he was named the Associated Press NFL assistant coach of the year for his work as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator. He has also had stints as offensive coordinator with the Eagles, Rams and Broncos.

Shurmur didn’t coach in the NFL last season. The Broncos fired head coach Vic Fangio after the 2021 season, which left Shurmur without a job.

Shurmur would be a solid choice for Rivera. Whoever Rivera chooses, the next offensive coordinator should tailor an offense around Howell rather than forcing Howell to adapt to their scheme.

Shurmur would check a lot of boxes for Rivera and is respected around the NFL.

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Commanders were interested in former NFL coach Jim Caldwell for their OC position, but he declined

Caldwell refused, saying he was only interviewing for head-coaching vacancies.

The Washington Commanders fired offensive coordinator Scott Turner earlier this week after the team failed to make the playoffs, primarily due to the offense.

For his replacement, head coach Ron Rivera was expected to go outside of the organization. On Friday, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported that Washington contacted former Lions and Colts head coach Jim Caldwell for its vacant offensive coordinator position. However, Caldwell declined, saying he was only interviewing for head-coaching vacancies.

Caldwell was the head coach of the Colts from 2009-11. Before that, he spent seven seasons as the Colts assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. After being fired from the Colts, Caldwell spent two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and was the offensive coordinator in 2013. From there, Caldwell was hired as the Detroit Lions head coach in 2014.

In four seasons with the Colts, Caldwell compiled a 36-28 record but was unceremoniously fired after the 2017 season. Caldwell’s winning percentage with the Lions was the best by a Detroit head coach since the 1950s.

Caldwell was out of the NFL in 2018, and returned in 2019 with the Miami Dolphins as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. Caldwell wasn’t retained by Miami after the 2019 season and hasn’t coached in the NFL since that time.

Caldwell has reportedly already held interviews with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions for their vacant head-coaching positions. Caldwell isn’t considered a frontrunner for either job, but the 67-year-old veteran coach has made it clear he’s not interested in being an assistant coach at this point in his career.

With a career record of 62-50, you can’t blame Caldwell.

Per Ian Rapoport, the Commanders weren’t the only team who have tried to hire Caldwell as an offensive coordinator, and he declined.

As for the Commanders, the revelation Rivera was interested in Caldwell likely isn’t going to excite Washington fans — not because Caldwell isn’t a respected coach.

One of the biggest complaints against Rivera is he only hires coaches he’s worked with in the past, often opting for familiarity over a higher ceiling. While he hasn’t worked with Caldwell, general manager Martin Mayhew did hire Caldwell in Detroit.

Caldwell and Washington quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese are currently the only names linked to the vacant position thus far.

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