Schefter: Vikings can’t interview John DeFilippo until Valentine’s Day

The search for the next Offensive Coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings has, seemingly, ground to a halt. After interviews with four candidates and rumors that the team would announce their decision early this week, it appears that the team is waiting for one specific person.

If that’s the case, then they’re going to have to wait a bit longer.

The Vikings, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, can’t interview Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for their Offensive Coordinator vacancy until 14 February. Why? Because that’s when his contract officially expires, and because going from a quarterback coach to an Offensive Coordinator is considered a lateral move, the move can be blocked until his contract is officially over.

Contrary to some of the stories that have come out over the past week or so, DeFilippo does have strong interest in the Vikings’ OC position. He had interviews with the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears for their head coaching spots earlier in the postseason, but with all of the Head Coaching positions in the NFL now being filled, DeFilippo is likely going to have to take a coordinator job as a potential stepping stone to that level.

Rick Spielman has said that whoever the team’s new Offensive Coordinator is will have a big say in which direction the team goes at quarterback. I’m sure that, if DeFilippo is interested in the job, he’s already started doing the research into all of the possible scenarios, so I’m sure he wouldn’t be as far behind the 8-ball as he could be if he does wind up taking the job.

So, it appears if you were hoping for a fast end to the Minnesota Vikings’ search for a new Offensive Coordinator, it’s not going to happen. But, it’s better to get it right than to get it fast, and if the Vikings think that DeFilippo is their guy, the wait will be worth it.