There’s a new contender to take over Ron Rivera’s old job. According to a report by Dan Graziano at ESPN, the Panthers will interview Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski for their head coach vacancy next week.
Stefanski has been with Minnesota since the 2006 season, when he was hired as an assistant to the head coach. From there, he worked his way up the staff, spending time as a tight ends coach, running backs coach and quarterbacks coach before taking over as OC this year. He’s gotten high praise for what he has done in 2019.
Minnesota finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in offensive DVOA and No. 8 in scoring. That’s a significant improvement from 2018 when they ranked No. 18 in DVOA and 19 in points scored.
Kirk Cousins in particular seems to have benefited from Stefanski’s play-calling. His passer rating rose from 99.7 in 2018 to 107.4 this year. In particular, Stefanski’s scheme has helped with pass protection. Cousins only took 28 sacks this season compared to 40 the year before. That should have an obvious appeal for the Panthers, who have seen Cam Newton bludgeoned by good pass rushes too often the last few seasons.
The Vikings also have a robust ground game led by Dalvin Cook. He posted 1,135 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The Panthers got a lot more out of Christian McCaffrey of course, but he also got 100 more touches than Cook.
Carolina fans can get a better look at Stefanski’s work tomorrow afternoon when the Vikings visit the Saints. Minnesota is a 7.5-point underdog.
