Report: Cardinals coaching candidate Pat Shurmur expected to join Giants
Jan 15, 2018, 1:07 PM | Updated: 1:09 pm
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur following a 29-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in an NFL divisional football playoff game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Several of the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching candidates remain busy with their teams in the NFL playoffs.
Among them is Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, but as the clock ticks, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Shurmur appears headed for another job. The New York Giants are targeting Shurmur to be their next head coach, and he is expected to accept.
Shurmur was reportedly a finalist for the Cardinals’ coaching job left vacant by Bruce Arians’ retirement. As one of the nine known coaches Arizona has interviewed, it would expected he would meet with the Cardinals a second time.
Depending on what happens this weekend with playoff teams, the Cards could start a second round of interviews this upcoming week. Pat Shurmur, Mike Munchak and Steve Wilks could get second interviews. As for Bettcher, it’s possible considering he was recommended by BA.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) January 13, 2018
NFL teams only have a small window to interview candidates still in the playoff picture: From Jan. 22 to Jan. 28, between the championship games and the Super Bowl.
Regarding Shurmur, it appears Arizona won’t get that chance.
Shurmur, 52, has seen his stock grow due to his mentoring of unheralded quarterbacks such as Minnesota starter Case Keenum. Shurmur has head coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns (2011-12) and as an interim with the Philadelphia Eagles (2015).
Minnesota is currently headed to the NFC Championship game after defeating the New Orleans Saints on Sunday with a game-winning play as the clock wound out.
In other head coaching search news, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to hire New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their next coach, according to Rapoport.
McDaniels was not one of the coaches Arizona met with in the first round of interviews.
