Could Kevin O’Connell be the next former Washington offensive coach to mean an NFL head-coaching position in 2022?
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars would like to speak to O’Connell about their head-coaching vacancy. O’Connell, the current Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, cannot interview with the Jaguars until after the Super Bowl.
O’Connell’s Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game to earn a trip to Super Bowl LVI. Since the Jags didn’t do a first interview with O’Connell during divisional playoff week, they must now wait.
Last week, the Jaguars were expected to hire Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, but that hasn’t happened for various reasons.
A new candidate has emerged in Jacksonville: Sources say the #Jaguars want to interview #Rams OC Kevin O’Connell, a dark horse who could quickly become the front runner.
My story: https://t.co/CExiFtnU0f
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2022
The Jaguars aren’t the only team interested in O’Connell. The Minnesota Vikings already interviewed O’Connell and are expected to seek a second interview sometime this week, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Vikings are keeping close tabs on Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, who is expected to conduct a second interview with them after NFC championship game and is regarded as one of their top candidates along with 49ers’ DeMeco Ryans, per league sources. @PFN365
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 30, 2022
O’Connell spent three seasons in Washington (2017-19). Former head coach Jay Gruden hired O’Connell as quarterbacks coach after McVay left for Los Angeles. In each of the next two offseasons, O’Connell received two promotions, and in 2019 he served as offensive coordinator.
Current Washington coach Ron Rivera was interested in keeping O’Connell on staff but it was believed O’Connell wanted to have a say in his offensive staff. Washington chose to go with Scott Turner and O’Connell signed with the Rams to serve as McVay’s offensive coordinator.
A former NFL quarterback, the 36-year-old O’Connell has long been viewed as a fast-riser in the coaching ranks.
If O’Connell lands a head-coaching job, that would mean both of Gruden’s offensive coordinators in Washington went on to serve as a head coach.