John DeFilippo enters an interesting situation as the new offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, who could, conceivably, lose three starting-caliber quarterbacks to free agency.
DeFilippo and the Vikings hold exclusive negotiating rights with Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater until March 12, when other teams can start talks. The market officially opens March 14. The coach says he’ll be involved in however Minnesota wants to address the game’s most important position.
"I'm going to have some say and I'm going to have as much say as they want me to. ... I'm going to leave no stone unturned," DeFilippo said, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Vikings officially announced DeFilippo’s hiring Friday morning, mere weeks after he helped defeat them in the NFC Championship Game as quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
It has also been suggested DeFilippo could try to persuade the Vikings to trade for Nick Foles, whom he just led to a Super Bowl MVP performance.
DeFilippo, 39, didn't indicate which QB he's leaning toward, if any, but spoke to what he values most in a signal-caller.
"Character is No. 1 for me. If you have character at that position, you have a chance to succeed," he said.
