It’s a full-circle moment for the LaGrange, Illinois-native, whose first NFL start comes at Soldier Field, the same stadium where he first saw an NFL game (at four years old) and against the team he grew up rooting for.

This moment has been more than a year in the making, and one Kevin O’Connell and his coaching staff have put a lot of time/effort into, nobody more than quarterbacks coach, Josh McCown, one of the fastest up-and-coming assistant offensive coaches in the NFL.

Josh McCown turning down outside promotions to stay with Minnesota Vikings

In fact, according to Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune), McCown turned down multiple opportunities for offensive coordinator jobs, but turned them down to stay in Minnesota and continue to learn under Kevin O’Connell.

The 46-year-old longtime NFL backup QB also got a head coaching interview during the offseason. Had the New York Jets made him an offer, he’s not sure he would’ve accepted that either. For now, McCown told the Star Tribune, there aren’t very many jobs he would accept over his current one.

Even if the New York Jets had offered their head coaching job to Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, among 17 candidates to talk with Jets ownership about the opening this offseason, something rooted him in Minnesota. Or someone: Kevin O’Connell, and the chance to work with the reigning NFL Coach of the Year for a second season.

McCown, now 46, already has as many NFL head coaching interviews – two – as he has years of NFL coaching experience. That underscores his reputation of a likeable leader with two decades’ worth of quarterbacking lessons and a unique way of applying them.

McCown is also not rushing his own development as a coach. He declined to pursue offensive coordinator opportunities this offseason to stay in Minnesota with talented coaches, top players and a young quarterback.

Star Tribune

Obviously, McCown has a special coaching future ahead of him, but he is in no hurry to fastrack his process for short-term benefit. Still, it’s just a matter of time.

McCown’s coaching prowess goes way back

McCown’s QB coaching prowess goes all the way back to Drake Maye’s high school career, when he helped turn him into a top recruit and No. 3 overall draft pick. Last year, he helped resurrect Sam Darnold and now he gets a chance to raise JJ McCarthy from NFL scratch.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Reveals Worrisome News on Vikings Injury Report

No matter who Andrew Krammer talked to, the message remained the same. McCown connects with people and is able to cultivate relationships. That ability has helped him to develop quarterbacks, but also embody what is most important as a coach.

”He could connect with everybody, offense or defense. There’s a way of communicating, love of the game, family — all these little boxes you can check with a coach-player relationship.”

Marc Trestman (via the Star Tribune)

“Absolutely love that guy,Like an older brother to me. … I feel like our relationship continues to grow every moment we spend with each other. You can’t take for granted all the lessons he’s been through, all the situations he’s had to overcome, the resiliency he has, like, it’s something really special.”

JJ McCarthy (via the Star Tribune)

Quarterbacks and coaches set up for success with MN Vikings

In part thanks to Josh McCown, along with reigning NFL Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the staff, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks are some of the best taken care of and best coached in the entire league.

Clearly, the same can be said about the coaches at TCO Performance Center, which is one reason why guys like McCown and Brian Flores continue to stick around. Unless the perfect opportunity comes along, they are too happy to leave.

If successful in raising yet another young quarterback this year in Minnesota, the offers for Josh McCown to leave will start reaching levels too extraordinary to turning down. For now though, he’s happy to be where his feet are, and ready to put all that QB expertise into raising the Vikings’ new franchise quarterback

Although multiple promotions were on the table for Vikings assistants, it appears that O’Connell will return the entirety of his group. Continuity is definitely something a 14-win team can appreciate.

Vikings assistants are sticking with Kevin O’Connell

Throughout the coaching carousel multiple Minnesota Vikings coaches took interviews with other teams. Kennan McCardell sought a promotion but didn’t land an interview. Both Brian Flores and Josh McCown were in line for prominent jobs, though.

The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn to be their head coach. Despite suggestions that Brian Flores could land in Chicago, they opted to poach Detroit Lions coach Ben Johnson. The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen, and that shut the door on opportunities that the Vikings coaches interviewed for.

Flores has now spent a pair of seasons interviewing for head coaching jobs after strong showings as the Vikings defensive coordinator. As he continues to come up empty, it’s hard not to think that the pending lawsuit he is involved with against the league isn’t a factor.

Related: Former Vikings HC Mike Zimmer Unemployed Again

McCown earned more respect this season, and his work with Sam Darnold was noticeable. The Vikings could maybe move him to their offensive coordinator role and move on from Wes Phillips if they want to keep him around long term.

Either way, for now, the Vikings keep all of their prominent figureheads for 2025. That includes executive Ryan Grigson as well.

Grant Udinski is last possibility to leave Minnesota Vikings

If there is a coach to leave, it will be assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski. He has already interviewed with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, but landed a shot at the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator job over the weekend.

The #Bucs just completed a virtual interview with Vikings assistan-OC Grant Udinski, who is only 28-years old.#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/dAgtcwnhKu

— Jaret Rojas (@RojasTalksTampa) January 25, 2025

At just 28 years old, Udinski would be among the youngest coordinators in the league. With the Buccaneers Udinski would replace the departing Coen. The former Los Angeles Rams coach is 39 years old and came back to the NFL this year after spending a season as the Kentucky offensive coordinator.

It’s understandable that progressive and impressive offensive coaches from Minnesota continue to be of interest to other teams. Kevin O’Connell calls plays for the Vikings, so many of them are limited from an upward promotion perspective.

Related: Vikings QB Sam Darnold Wins NFL Most Improved Award

There’s no guarantee that Udinski lands any of the jobs he has interviewed for. If that winds up being the case, then none of the interviews from this cycle will have resulted in changes. The Lions certainly wish that were the case.

But as the legendary Tracy Lawrence once sang, “time marches on” and reality will hit every level of the organization eventually. Some will feel it quicker than others, though. Just look at the Vikings players, coaches and front office executives who will immediately turn their focus toward leaving for another job. Those guys have no choice but to swallow the L quickly, and move on.

Minnesota Vikings have multiple coaches and executives interviewing for new jobs

Then, when we look between the lines, half of the Minnesota Vikings roster is due for free agency. Who will be tasked with talking to those free agents or scouting/finding replacements? The answer to that question isn’t clear either, with senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson going through an interview process with the New York Jets for their vacant GM job.

We haven’t even gotten to the multitude of coaches who have line up outside interviews, including (DC) Brian Flores, (QB Coach) Josh McCown, (WR Coach) Keenan McCardell and (Asst OC) Grant Udinski. Kevin O’Connell trade rumors are out there too, but that’s for another article.

But the biggest concern over at TCO Performance Center, surrounding all these outside interviews, may not be the total number of coaches and execs that other teams are interested in. Instead, they may be more worried about the one team that has interviewed or has interviews scheduled with most of them.

New York Jets planning a coup in Minnesota?

According to Connor Hughes, of New York Regional Sports Network “SNY”, there is increasing chatter happening within NFL insider circles — and growing concern inside of TCO Performance Center — that the New York Jets are planning a coup within the Minnesota Vikings organization.

Per Hughes, this conspiracy theory becoming truth would mean the hiring of Ryan Grigson as Jets GM, Brian Flores as Jets head coach and Josh McCown as Jets offensive coordinator.

There’s a lot of buzz going around league circles right now regarding a Ryan Grigson (general manager), Brian Flores (head coach), and Josh McCown (offensive coordinator) pairing. A source in Minnesota actually said that’s been talked about within their building.

Connor Hughes – SNY

The New York insider makes it clear in his piece that this “buzz” is coming from NFL insider circles, and even from inside the Vikings organization, but that he does not have any steam from the Jets that this is the plan. So (technically), we do not know if a Vikings coup is in their realistic plans.

Related: ESPN Insider Predicts Vikings DC Brian Flores’ New Head Coaching Job

But given that the Jets have requested, or already conducted interviews with most of the above Minnesota Vikings employees, you have to imagine the discussion of hiring all Vikings coaches and executives for their top vacancies is one that has been had in New Jersey too. It’s only logical.

Rick Spielman revenge involved in New York Jets decisions?

Wanna go a little deeper down this conspiratorial rabbit hole? Just take a peek at the former NFL executives who have been contracted by Jets owner Woody Johnson to lead the GM and head coach searches for New York…

These are league sources speculating on what they’ve heard regarding the Jets vacancy, not a Jets source telling me what they are going to do. Woody Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Hymie Elhai (team president), Mike Tannenbaum (33rd Team), and Rick Spielman (33rd Team) are the ones in and conducting these interviews.

Connor Hughes – SNY

If rumors were to become reality, this would be a shrewd football move that many would lawd for the Jets. It’s also one that would strip the Vikings of three very important pieces to their 2024 success. Is this something that we should be legitimately concerned about?

Well, I’d say if those inside the Minnesota Vikings organization are concerned, then we probably should at least have the possibility on our radars too.

New York Jets interviewing two Minnesota Vikings coaches

But it appears a couple of Vikings coaches will have a more on their postseason plate than just a West Coast wildcard playoff game. According to reports, the Vikings have received head coach interview requests from the New York Jets for defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown.

Jets have requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025

What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings and their upcoming playoff game vs the Los Angeles Rams? Well, I’m guessing B-Flo and McCown will be using at least some of their preparation time this week to get ready for the biggest job interview of their respective coaching lives.

What happens next?

And yes, the Vikings have to allow both guys to interview for the Jets job, because it is an upgrade from the positions they hold in Minnesota. According to The Athletic, these interviews cannot be in-person, only virtual.

The Jets have a three-day window to complete these interviews. They cannot happen until three days after the Vikings’ wildcard game in LA, but must be completed before the end of the divisional round games are over.

That means, whether the Minnesota Vikings beat the Rams or not, Brian Flores and Josh McCown will be doing a virtual head coaching interview with the Jets, sometime between Thursday (Jan 16) and Sunday (Jan 19).

Related: NFL Playoff Odds: Minnesota Vikings Open as Wildcard Favorites vs LA Rams

This would be Brian Flores’ second opportunity as an NFL head coach. He had early success with the Miami Dolphins, before everything imploded. He left with a starting QB that hated him and a lawsuit against his former employer and the NFL that is still pending.

Meanwhile, Josh McCown is one of the fastest rising offensive coaches in the NFL and well on his way to be tagged as a young QB guru, much like his current boss, Kevin O’Connell. Prior to beginning his coaching career. McCown played two seasons (2017-18) with the New York Jets, where he was a backup QB behind a younger Sam Darnold.

Other candidates competing with Brian Flores and Josh McCown

Beyond Flores and McCown, there are more than a handful of other candidates who either have, or will interview for the New York Jets job. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is not on the list because he is reportedly not interested.

• Arthur Smith (Steelers OC)
• Aaron Glenn (Lions DC)
• Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC)
• Vance Joseph (Broncos DC)
• Joe Brady (Bills OC)
• Rex Ryan (ESPN)
• Jeff Ulbrich (Jets Interim HC)
• Brian Griese (49ers QB Coach)
• Bobby Slowik (Texans OC)
• Mike Vrabel (interview complete)
• Ron Rivera (interview complete)

Currently, there are five open head coaching jobs available across the NFL and more are expected to come. Here are other teams who need a head coach and could put in a request to interview Brian Flores, or other coaches on the Minnesota Vikings staff.

• Chicago Bears
• New York Jets
• New Orleans Saints
• New England Patriots
• Jacksonville Jaguars

After being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jets, Darnold has a career winning percentage of only 43.3% and has struggled most of his NFL career. Now, he’s on his fourth NFL team in 7 seasons.

Although he’s yet to live up to his No. 3 overall pick expectations, Sam has finally landed on a team that can properly support with coaches and offensive weapons that can positively influence his growth as an NFL QB, something he did not have in New York or Carolina.

Well, that’s only partially true. Darnold did have quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, who the Vikings hired in February, and he was a backup QB for the Jets when the now 26-year-old Sam Darnold was a 21-year-old 1st round rookie.

Josh McCown very complimentary of Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold

According to what Darnold told Kevin Seifert (ESPN), that he and the new Vikings QB coach became “best friends — the youngest guy on the team and the oldest guy on the team” while playing together in New York.

When Seifert went to McCown to talk about the Vikings’ new quarterback, he told Seifert that he Sam looks like a new QB to him too. Compared to their days together with the Jets McCown told ESPN that Darnold is a “much more mature” football player now than he was back then; also alluding to how much smarter of a player he is now too.

According to #Vikings QB Coach Josh McCown via @SeifertESPN, QB Sam Darnold is “much more mature” and has “learned” a lot more about football since his days with the #Jets 🧐

“But amid their reunion in Minnesota, McCown said he has already observed "how much more mature" Darnold… pic.twitter.com/FYzoFmWHUm

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 2, 2024

But amid their reunion in Minnesota, McCown said he has already observed “how much more mature” Darnold is “and how much he’s learned from a football standpoint.”

Kevin Seifert (ESPN)

Related: Will Justin Jefferson be at Minnesota Vikings Mandatory Minicamp?

This is quite the compliment, coming from McCown, the guy who saw Darnold take his rookie lumps closer than anybody else on the planet. No doubt it will be that maturation over the last five years that gives Sam the leg up on J.J. McCarthy entering minicamp.

According to @PAOnTheMic via @KFAN1003, his BOLD proclamation is that Sam Darnold will play every single game for the Minnesota #Vikings this season unless he gets hurt 👀

“So here's the proclamation. Hardcore football. Sam Darnold will play every single game for the Minnesota… pic.twitter.com/zR0ziXaDSw

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 21, 2024

It remains to be seen whether or not Darnold is a better quarterback now, than he was as a rookie with the New York Jets, or a couple years later in Carolina. Some NFL media members believe Darnold excels in practices because he’s unbothered by the pressures that game day brings.

Others believe he is the easy favorite to take the majority of QB1 snaps in purple this season. Only time will tell us which faction was correct. But we know one thing is for sure. Josh McCown knows Sam Darnold better than any quarterbacks coach in the league.

Related: Kirk Cousins Tampering Investigation Expected to Result in ‘More Significant Discipline’ for Falcons

He knows what he does well, what he doesn’t do well, what he struggles with, and what he excels at. If Sam is showing a significant improvement in any area, McCown would certainly be the first to notice. With all this knowledge, hopefully McCown can get the best out of Darnold if he does indeed become the Vikings’ starter this season.

Josh McCown spotted at USC Pro Day… 👀

📸 assist: @LAFBNetwork pic.twitter.com/qDwGEBAddb

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) March 20, 2024

In nearly every single possible future reality that exists, the Vikings do not walk out of next month’s NFL Draft with Caleb Williams. The former Heisman Trophy winner is currently -3500 at DraftKings to be drafted by Chicago with the top pick.

Why is Minnesota Vikings QB Coach Josh McCown at Caleb Williams’ Pro Day?

The Bears wouldn’t have traded Justin Fields for pennies on the dollar, had they been interesting in moving off the No. 1 pick. At this point, the Minnesota Vikings do not have enough draft picks or talent in their arsenal (minus Justin Jefferson] to swipe Caleb from the Bears. That conversation would’ve taken place weeks ago.

Yet, McCown’s presence at USC today is worth noting because, as everyone reading this knows (and is written above), McCown’s job title is QB coach. Not WR coach (there to scout Brenden Rice or Tahj Washington); not RB coach (there to see Marshawn Lloyd)… etc.

Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown in attendance here at USC pro day. Players on the field getting warmed up. pic.twitter.com/m19saCWqLm

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) March 20, 2024

Related: L’Jarius Sneed Would Reportedly ‘Love to Play’ for Minnesota Vikings

Well, maybe there’s another depth QB he is watching? Nope, our friends at LAFBnetwork.com tell Minnesota Sports Fan that USC does not have another QB performing today. Okay… maybe McCown is there as part of a coaching/scouting group that was sent to the area?

Local insider Darren Wolfson says no. It appears McCown was the main representative on hand for the Minnesota Vikings. So whether he’s subbing in for someone else or pushing a draft night smokescreen, there’s no denying that Josh McCown (the Vikings QB coach) is at Caleb Williams’ Pro Day.

👎🏻

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 20, 2024

Related: Mel Kiper Has Vikings Drafting Franchise QB at No. 11; Iowa’s Cooper DeJean at No. 23

Is this a situation worth monitoring? Probably not, but that doesn’t change the fact that it happened. And lucky for our readers, we will keep an eye on everything related to your favorite MN sports teams, no matter how insignificant the development may be, so you don’t have to. And if it’s interesting enough, like this is, we’ll be there to help bring it to your attention.

The #Vikings have named Josh McCown as quarterbacks coach and Chris O’Hara as pass game specialist.

📰: https://t.co/pwYvUiOGIM pic.twitter.com/Ls06I7tOYs

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 27, 2024

Minnesota Vikings hire Josh McCown as QB Coach

When the Carolina Panthers fired their most of their coaching staff at the end of the 2023 season, including head coach Frank Reich, and Josh McCown was one of the staff members to go. Obviously, his work with Bryce Young didn’t give him a leg up on any competition this offseason but McCown has been known as the next QB turned elite NFL coach since long before his playing career was over.

Related: Vikings GM Says Trading Justin Jefferson Has Never Even Crossed His Mind

So it’s no surprise that he ends up on Kevin O’Connell’s staff because he was seen as the exact same thing, though his playing career didn’t last as long as McCown’s did. During said career, McCown played for 12 different organizations as a backup QB, but none of those teams were the Vikings.