The Vikings chances of landing Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator might have taken a serious step backward on Friday.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting in its Saturday editions that McDaniels will interview with Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo to become that team's offensive coordinator. The exact day of the interview isn't clear at this point.
McDaniels interviewed with the Vikings on Jan. 7, but neither the team nor the McDaniels camp has given any indication of how that meeting went.
Both the Vikings and Rams would be going away from the West Coast system they use if McDaniels is hired. McDaniels talked to the Post-Dispatch on Friday and although he wouldn't confirm anything it's a safe assumption he's intrigued by the opportunity to work with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
"I think the Rams' organization obviously is a great place," McDaniels said. "I know Steve. I've known him for a few years now. And it's a place that would interest anybody. It's an exciting place because I think they have everything just going in the right direction there. And that's a credit to Steve and Billy [Devaney, the Rams general manager] and everybody there in the organization. We'll see how it all plays out, but I'd be excited, too."
Meanwhile, former Vikings coach Brad Childress also is considered a candidate to replace new Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur as the Rams' offensive coordinator. Childress is scheduled to interview with Miami on Saturday to become the Dolphins' offensive coordinator.
The Post-Dispatch reported that no known interview has been planned with Childress. But 101 ESPN in St. Louis reports that an interview with Childress is expected to take place on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Spagnuolo and Childress are good friends, but it seems the expectation at this point is it's more likely McDaniels ends up with the Rams.
Keep in mind that while Childress had the offensive coordinator title for much of his time in Philadelphia, it was Andy Reid who called the plays. Childress called plays for the Vikings in 2006 in his first season as head coach, but turned over much of that duty to Darrell Bevell the following season.
