Whether we like it or not, the rumor is that Gannon and Ossenfort will be back, but that big changes will come to the coaching staff. So let’s get some names out there.
I doubt that Gannon is willing to let Rallis go (Rallis seems sort of like Gannon’s project), but I think that both Petzing and Jeff Rodgers would be out. Now, my knowledge about special teams coordinators is very limited, so I have not focused on that.
The NFL is a league of relations and nepotism, so even though a new OC could be a complete out-of-the-blue hire, I will focus mostly on coaches that somehow can be connected to the current decision makers. I don’t think that completely namedropping-guesses makes much sense.
Now, as far as I know, a coaching staff is the head coach’s responsibility and selections, so I have included some coaches that Gannon have had relations with. However, if the order of changes comes from Bidwill, I would guess that Gannon will not have complete control of who to replace Petzing with. I am not saying that Bidwill will handpick a new OC, but I have included some coaches that Ossenfort has relations with.
Lastly, I am guessing that it would be an experienced OC. I doubt that Bidwill accepts another up-and-coming guy.
Let’s get to it:
In my column I have mentioned that I could see Gannon’s dream is to hire Kevin Stefanski, if he is let go by the Browns. They know each other back from their Vikings-days (where Gannon also knew Petzing from), and even though Stefanski was never a playcaller those years, he has been successful with it in Cleveland. I think he will get fired, but I also think he will get a new head coaching-job quickly.
Todd Downing was the OC in Tennessee while Ossenfort was there, and has previously been the offensive coordinator with the Raiders. For some years he was the Jets’ passing game coordinator, and even though that is not exactly a ringing endorsement, look at the material he has to work with. Now he is the wide receiver coach with the Patriots.
Gannon was with Pat Shurmur for many years in Minnesota. Shurmur has been a head coach with the Browns, Eagles and Giants, as well as the OC with the Rams, Eagles, Vikings and Broncos. Right now he is the offensive coordinator at Colorado (so, kind of the coach behind Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders).
In 2013-2016, Ossenfort worked with Brian Daboll in New England. Daboll later went on to be a successful OC at Alabama and with the Bills, before being hired as the head coach for the Giants. Previously he was the offensive coordinator with the Browns, Dolphins and Chiefs.
Scott Turner worked with Gannon in Minnesota where he was the QB coach for three years. Later he has been the offensive coordinator for Washington, Raiders, and this season he is a passing game coordinator with the Jets. Like with Downing, you have to look at the context when evaluating his time in New York.
Chad O’Shea worked together with Ossenfort for nine years in New England, where O’Shea was the WR coach. He later became the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, and has been the WR coach and passing game coordinator for the Browns since 2020.
Marcus Brady has a relationship with Gannon from the Colts-days, and later joined Gannon for one year in Philly. Brady is now the passing game coordinator for Justin Herbert with the Chargers.
I doubt that Gannon is willing to let Rallis go (Rallis seems sort of like Gannon’s project), but I think that both Petzing and Jeff Rodgers would be out. Now, my knowledge about special teams coordinators is very limited, so I have not focused on that.
The NFL is a league of relations and nepotism, so even though a new OC could be a complete out-of-the-blue hire, I will focus mostly on coaches that somehow can be connected to the current decision makers. I don’t think that completely namedropping-guesses makes much sense.
Now, as far as I know, a coaching staff is the head coach’s responsibility and selections, so I have included some coaches that Gannon have had relations with. However, if the order of changes comes from Bidwill, I would guess that Gannon will not have complete control of who to replace Petzing with. I am not saying that Bidwill will handpick a new OC, but I have included some coaches that Ossenfort has relations with.
Lastly, I am guessing that it would be an experienced OC. I doubt that Bidwill accepts another up-and-coming guy.
Let’s get to it:
In my column I have mentioned that I could see Gannon’s dream is to hire Kevin Stefanski, if he is let go by the Browns. They know each other back from their Vikings-days (where Gannon also knew Petzing from), and even though Stefanski was never a playcaller those years, he has been successful with it in Cleveland. I think he will get fired, but I also think he will get a new head coaching-job quickly.
Todd Downing was the OC in Tennessee while Ossenfort was there, and has previously been the offensive coordinator with the Raiders. For some years he was the Jets’ passing game coordinator, and even though that is not exactly a ringing endorsement, look at the material he has to work with. Now he is the wide receiver coach with the Patriots.
Gannon was with Pat Shurmur for many years in Minnesota. Shurmur has been a head coach with the Browns, Eagles and Giants, as well as the OC with the Rams, Eagles, Vikings and Broncos. Right now he is the offensive coordinator at Colorado (so, kind of the coach behind Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders).
In 2013-2016, Ossenfort worked with Brian Daboll in New England. Daboll later went on to be a successful OC at Alabama and with the Bills, before being hired as the head coach for the Giants. Previously he was the offensive coordinator with the Browns, Dolphins and Chiefs.
Scott Turner worked with Gannon in Minnesota where he was the QB coach for three years. Later he has been the offensive coordinator for Washington, Raiders, and this season he is a passing game coordinator with the Jets. Like with Downing, you have to look at the context when evaluating his time in New York.
Chad O’Shea worked together with Ossenfort for nine years in New England, where O’Shea was the WR coach. He later became the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, and has been the WR coach and passing game coordinator for the Browns since 2020.
Marcus Brady has a relationship with Gannon from the Colts-days, and later joined Gannon for one year in Philly. Brady is now the passing game coordinator for Justin Herbert with the Chargers.
