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The report adds that the Cardinals covet
Shurmur's potential ability to recruit Vikings quarterback Case
Keenum when his contract expires this spring. ESPN reported
earlier this week that Shurmur and Keenum could be a package
deal of sorts this offseason after the 29-year-old quarterback
thrived in Shurmur's system, posting career-best numbers during
the regular season.
Shurmur, 52, has also drawn interest from the Detroit Lions,
Chicago Bears and New York Giants. He interviewed with the
Cardinals and then the Lions on Jan. 4, the Bears on Jan. 5 and
the Giants on Jan. 6. The Bears have already hired former Kansas
City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to fill their
vacancy, while the Lions and Giants are both reportedly
targeting New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt
Patricia, who is believed to favor the Giants job.
Shurmur was hired by the Vikings as tight ends coach in 2016 but
was promoted to interim offensive coordinator midseason when
Norv Turner resigned after a 5-2 start. In Shurmur's first full
season running the offense, the unit finished 11th in yards per
game (356.9) and 10th in points (23.9) while Keenum posted a
98.3 passer rating, easily the best of his career.
Before joining Minnesota, Shurmur spent three seasons as Chip
Kelly's offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, taking over as
interim head coach when Kelly was fired with one game remaining
in the 2015 campaign. The Eagles won that game, bringing
Shurmur's career record as a head coach to 10-23. He spent 2011
and 2012 at the helm of the Cleveland Browns, going 4-12 and
then 5-11 before being fired.
The Cardinals have also interviewed their defensive coordinator,
James Bettcher; Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks;
Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo; Eagles defensive
coordinator Jim Schwartz; Patricia; Patriots linebackers coach
Brian Flores; Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong
and Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak for the
head-coaching vacancy.
According to ABC 15, the 48-year-old Wilks "is right behind
Shurmur at the top of the Cardinals' list."
Arizona would be unable to hire Shurmur officially until the
Vikings' season is over, which could be as soon as Sunday
evening or as late as after Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4.
--Field Level Media
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