Young Vikings Coach Pops Up as Future HC Candidate

Geoff Burke Two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings hired a new quarterbacks coach named Josh McCown , who most fans knew all about from his playing days as a quarterback. And by the 2026 offseason, some are projecting McCown as one of the next big things in the coaching carousel , possibly in 2027. Minnesota’s young assistant is climbing fast in coaching circles.

McCown helped to extract the best out of Sam Darnold two years ago, and a promotion may await him before too long. Kevin O’Connell’s Staff May Have Another Fast-Rising Name A nifty list for McCown. Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Josh McCown watches from the sideline during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, observing offensive adjustments and player execution as part of his coaching duties during the 2023 regular season matchup in a tough road environment.

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports. McCown Earns Placement on The Athletic’s Rising Coaches List Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic identified seven up-and-coming coaches who could take the HC plunge soon, and McCown was among them. She explained , “Josh McCown, quarterbacks coach of the Minnesota Vikings: A prominent NFC coach said it was clear over the past two seasons that the former quarterback McCown is taking on more responsibility within the Vikings’ offense.

” Rodrigue added, “When I talked to coaches, executives and other league personnel throughout the meetings, I also wanted to know who they believed was a coach on the rise who perhaps was not getting enough recognition. ” The Resume McCown stopped by the Carolina Panthers in 2023, briefly helping to get the Bryce Young era off the ground before the whole coaching staff was replaced. Before that, McCown somewhat controversially interviewed for the vacant Houston Texans ‘ head coaching job in 2021, criticized by some for thinking he could sprint to the top of the ladder as a head coach before any stops in the NFL as a coordinator.