Hey, maybe we’ll hire an OC today! As a reminder, here’s who we’ve interviewed:
(ranked in order of my personal preference)

1. Jeff Nixon – offensive coordinator for Syracuse, who were ranked #1 in the nation in passing offense and #7 in total offense (averaging 34 points and 370 passing yards per game); reportedly ran a “creative, versatile, pro-style system.”
2. Nick Caley – passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams; his entire NFL coaching career has been under Bill Belichick and Sean McVay; personally, I don’t get all the hype, but a lot of NFL insiders seem to think he’s the next big thing.
3. Adam Stenavich – offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers; has over a decade of coaching experience and great success working with offensive lines (even patchwork ones); since 2019, the Packers have remained in the bottom five in number of sacks allowed.
4. Grant Udinski – assistant offensive coordinator and assistant QB coach for the Minnesota Vikings (under Kevin O’Connell); only 29 years old, so he would probably stick around for a while; helped Sam Darnold have the best season of his career.
5. Brian Johnson – passing game coordinator for the Washington Commanders; helped Jayden Daniels have one of the best rookie seasons ever; lots of college OC experience; had a rough season with the Eagles, but might have been scapegoated there.
6. Jerrod Johnson – current QB coach for the Houston Texans; previously worked under Kyle Shanahan, Frank Reich, and Kevin O’Connell; also interviewed with the Bucs and Raiders, so at least he seems to be well-regarded by other teams.
7. Thad Lewis – former NFL journeyman and current QB coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; some have given him credit for the resurgence of Baker Mayfield; otherwise, never been an OC and not much coaching experience.
8. Bill Lazor – current offensive assistant for the Houston Texans; he’s never really done anything in the NFL worth writing home about; he probably shouldn’t even have his current job with the Texans, much less a promotion.

Hopefully we’ll have an OC by Monday. But until then…

We’ve already talked about Jerrod Johnson, Jeff Nixon, Thad Lewis, Nick Caley, and Bill Lazor.

And today we have two more OC candidates to add to the mix…

Brian Johnson, first and foremost, shares a name with the lead singer of AC/DC. He’s also the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Washington Commanders. He has previously served as OC for the Utah Utes, Houston Cougars, Florida Gators, and Philadelphia Eagles. Obviously the Commanders had a great season this year, and Jayden Daniels did a pretty amazing job with 3,568 passing yards, 25 TDs and 9 INTs. However, during his time with the Eagles, Johnson’s offense was criticized for being “too simplistic” and for not scheming players open.

Grant Udinski is the assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He is only 29 years old and has been with the Vikings since 2022, first as an “assistant to the head coach,” then assistant quarterbacks coach, and later added the title of assistant offensive coordinator (under OC Wes Phillips, son of Wade Phillips, and grandson of Bum Phillips). It’s worth noting that Vikings QB Sam Darnold just had the best season of his career, with 4,319 passing yards, 35 TDs, and 12 INTs.

Jeff Nixon is still the guy that excites me the most. I don’t understand why so many people are gushing over Nick Caley, who has never been an OC before and had Gronk his entire tenure with the Patriots. Sure, he might be good, but he hasn’t done anything yet.

Okay… aside from Jerrod Johnson and Jeff Nixon, it looks like we’ve got two more OC candidates.

Thad Lewis:

• He was a journeyman QB in the NFL, with stints on nine different teams (including the Texans).
• He’s been coaching for the Bucs since 2020, as an offensive assistant, WR coach, and QB coach.
• Some have given him credit for the resurgence of Baker Mayfield.
• In 2024, Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards, 41 TDs, 16 INTs, and a rating of 106.8.

Nick Caley:

• From 2015-2022, he served as the tight ends coach for the Patriots (“Gronk smash!”).
• After joining the Rams, he added the title of passing game coordinator in 2024.
• His entire NFL coaching career has been under Bill Belichick and Sean McVay.
• In 2024, Matthew Stafford threw for 3,762 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INTs, and a rating of 93.7.

Neither one has ever been an OC before. I’m more enthusiastic about Jeff Nixon than these guys.

With a new hat in the ring for the OC position, let’s learn a bit about Jeff Nixon!

• As the OC for Syracuse in 2024, his offense averaged 34 points and 370 passing yards per game.
• They had a 10-3 record this season and defeated Washington State 52-35 in the Holiday Bowl.
• Syracuse ranked #1 in the nation in passing offense and #7 in total offense.
• Not much of a rushing attack, but when you’re putting up 370 pass yards per game, I guess you don’t really need it.
• Nixon reportedly ran a “creative, versatile, pro-style offense” at Syracuse.
• Six different receivers finished with double digit catches, over 100 yards receiving, and at least one TD catch.
• When asked who influenced his style of offense, Nixon named Andy Reid (who he coached under in Philly), Chip Kelly (from his single season with the 49ers), and his mentor Rocky Rees, the winningest football coach at Shippensburg University.

This is all I wanna see at the Super Bowl next week…