John DeFilippo - Pro Football Rumors

North Notes: Bell, Browns, Green, Cook

November 4th, 2018 at 10:09am CST by Rory Parks

The Le’Veon Bell saga is coming to a head, as the Steelers running back must sign his franchise tender by November 13 to be eligible to play for any team this season. But as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, the CBA does not dictate that Bell must report by that day, only that he sign the tender. That means that Bell could sign the tender and not report until next Saturday, which would make him eligible to be added to the roster for next Sunday’s game — not that he would be playing in that game regardless — or he could just not sign the tender at all and skip the entire season.

The latter option is not considered likely at this time, but La Canfora says that if Bell does skip the entire 2018 campaign, the Steelers would strongly consider slapping the franchise or transition tag on him next offseason, which would of course set up another drama-filled battle. La Canfora further reports that no rival clubs called Pittsburgh at last week’s trade deadline in an attempt to acquire Bell.

Now for more the league’s North divisions:

When the Browns have hired a new head coach in recent seasons, they have used a search firm, but Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says he would be surprised if the team, with respected GM John Dorsey now in charge, goes that route when it looks for another HC this offseason. Rapoport’s sources expect Dorsey to conduct the search himself, and they expect that he will do so very “secretly.” Rapoport says one name under consideration would be Josh McDaniels, who is reportedly open to revisiting HC opportunities (should another one come his way), and RapSheet also lists John DeFilippo, Mike McCarthy, and Lincoln Riley as potential targets.
Bengals WR A.J. Green is battling a toe injury, per Rapoport (via Twitter), who says that Green either has visited or will visit foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. There will be more clarity on the injury soon, and Rapoport says surgery remains on the table. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that Green is expected to miss time regardless of whether he has surgery.
Vikings WR Stefon Diggs will miss today’s game with a rib injury, per Rapoport (video link), though it is uncertain whether Diggs will miss any additional time (given that he expected to play today and was listed as questionable on the final injury report, it seems that he’ll be ready to go after Minnesota’s bye next week. Meanwhile, RB Dalvin Cook is expected to hit the field today, which will mark his first appearance since Week 4. Cook will be on a pitch count and is only expected to see 20 snaps or so, but when the team returns from bye, it could have Cook and Diggs at full strength.
The Packers signed punter Drew Kaser yesterday, but the team is not moving on from incumbent J.K. Scott at this time, per ESPN.com. However, it is still an open question as to whether Scott will be punting against the Patriots tonight.
We learned earlier today that Ravens HC John Harbaugh is on the hot seat as the team faces a critical divisional matchup against Pittsburgh this afternoon.

Vikings Rumors: DeFilippo, O-Line, Barr

June 3rd, 2018 at 7:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

John DeFilippo played a big part in the Vikings‘ quarterback search. The new Minnesota offensive coordinator began studying film of the team’s three previous quarterbacks — Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater and Case Keenum — on his first morning with the team in mid-February, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes. This process of finding a potential long-term option in Kirk Cousins also included scouting of QBs that weren’t Cousins or the Vikings’ free agent trio, per Goessling, who adds QBs coach Kevin Stefanski was also involved in this process, along with Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer. DeFilippo and Cousins met at dinner the night before the new Minnesota starter signed his three-year, $84MM contract, per Goessling. Minnesota has not had a quarterback make it through three straight seasons as the primary starter since Daunte Culpepper in the early 2000s, and DeFilippo called the franchise’s signal-caller search as thorough as anything he’s been involved with in the NFL.

Here’s the latest from the Twin Cities:

Previously stationed at right tackle at Vikings OTAs, Mike Remmers took reps exclusively at right guard during one of the OTA sessions this week, Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reports. Third-year UDFA Rashod Hill, in turn, lined up at right tackle. This was the Vikings’ arrangement at the end of last season. Remmers worked as the Panthers’ starting right tackle from 2014-16. Tom Compton, who worked as the primary right guard last week, alternated at left guard with Danny Isidora, per Krammer. Slotting Remmers at guard would give second-round pick Brian O’Neill an easier path to playing time, but it’s uncertain what Remmers’ primary position will be this season.
Anthony Barr reported to the Vikings this week and did so after taking out an insurance policy, Krammer notes. He missed the first week of Vikes OTAs while he ironed out this policy, which will cover him for injury while he’s still attached to his rookie deal. Barr remains hopeful he and the Vikings can come to terms before training camp. Minnesota agreed to extensions with Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph in a 10-day span just as camp began last year, and it would make sense Barr — one of the team’s big re-up candidates this year — would be the top priority for a pre-camp deal.
Despite being a first-round pick, Laquon Treadwell has 21 receptions (and no touchdowns) in two years. However, the Ole Miss product is not categorizing 2018 as a make-or-break year, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes. The Vikings cut Jarius Wright and have not re-signed Michael Floyd, potentially giving Treadwell a chance to move into the No. 3 wideout role. However, Minnesota’s Kendall Wright deal could impede that. Neverthless, it could be a stretch the Vikings pick up Treadwell’s fifth-year option in May of 2019 at this rate.

North Notes: Vikings, Patricia, Humphrey

February 11th, 2018 at 10:18am CST by Rory Parks

New Vikings OC John DeFilippo is viewed as a rising star in the coaching world, and Minnesota is obviously high on the former Eagles quarterbacks coach, as it targeted DeFilippo as soon as former OC Pat Shurmur left for the Giants’ head coaching job. The Vikings were also willing to wait for Philadelphia’s season to be over before naming Shurmur’s replacement, which shows just how much they liked DeFilippo. Despite the hire, though, the Vikings denied the Giants’ request to interview Minnesota quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski for the New York OC gig, and Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio suggests that there are two reasons for that (Twitter link). Obviously, the Vikings value Stefanski and want him around in 2018, but the team also thinks there is a good chance DeFilippo could get his own head coaching opportunity in 2019, so Minnesota views Stefanski as a potential replacement (after all, the Vikes did interview Stefanski for the OC position this year before hiring DeFilippo). However, Marvez reports that Stefanski only has one year left on his current contract, so he could become a coaching free agent in 2019.

Now for more from the league’s North divisions:

The Bears‘ offensive line will be one of their biggest priorities this offseason, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune says the team could use one of its top two picks in this year’s draft on an O-lineman. Of course, Chicago will also have to decide what it wants to do with guard Josh Sitton, who has a club option worth $8MM for 2018 (the Bears have until March 9 to exercise that option, and if they do not, Sitton will become a UFA). It is a tough call; on the one hand, Sitton is an accomplished player whose departure will make the team’s O-line situation even more dire, but on the other hand, he is an aging veteran and, if the Bears decline the option, Sitton will count only $666K against the cap in 2018. Biggs does not give an indication as to which way Chicago is leaning at this point.
In a piece that is well worth a read, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press chronicles Matt Patricia‘s rise from a low-level assistant in New England to Lions head coach, a rise that was accelerated in 2012 when Detroit GM Bob Quinn — then the director of pro scouting with the Patriots — heard Patricia deliver a poignant speech to New England coaches and players about the recently-deceased Junior Seau.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, whom the team selected in the first round of last year’s draft, was recently arrested for stealing a $15 phone charger, as Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. Humphrey has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 1 in Tuscaloosa County District Court, at which time a judge will determine whether to dismiss the case or to proceed. Humphrey turned in a strong rookie campaign, and Baltimore will rely on him heavily in 2018.

John DeFilippo Sheds Light On Minnesota Plans

February 9th, 2018 at 6:58pm CST by Micah Powell

Friday morning, former Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo was hired as the offensive coordinator in Minnesota to replace Pat Shurmur, who took the head-coaching gig with the Giants. In the afternoon, he addressed his plans for the team’s offense and noted a few opportunities in the league that were presented to him.

The 39-year-old coach said he interviewed for head-coaching positions in Arizona and Chicago and was requested by a few teams for the offensive coordinator positions, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. “When the Minnesota Vikings want to talk to you, that’s a whole different ball game,” DeFilippo said. “It was obviously a special opportunity to work for Coach Zimmer and learn from him and work for another great head coach and another opportunity for myself to call plays.”

DeFilippo hasn’t called plays since serving as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2015. There was an opportunity for him to become the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia if current offensive coordinator Frank Reich became head coach in Indianapolis. He, however, would not call plays due to head coach Doug Pederson fulfilling that role.

With Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater all preparing to enter free agency, DeFilippo said athleticism in the pocket is a must, Tomasson reports (Twitter link). None of those passers are really known for their athleticism, but Keenum did show an ability to sidestep the rush during his breakout 2017 campaign.

DeFilippo also said he will incorporate elements of the Eagles offense while keeping the aspects that Minnesota did well in 2017, the Star Tribune Ben Goessling tweets.

Vikings Hire John DeFilippo As OC

February 9th, 2018 at 9:22am CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings have finally replaced Pat Shurmur as their offensive coordinator. The team announced on Friday morning that Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo will take over as their new OC. The news was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) on Thursday night.

“We are very excited to add John to our staff,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said in a press release. “We took our time with the search and made sure we left no stone unturned to get the right fit. He has a track record of success and has proven to be a great teacher. We feel John will have good chemistry with our team and we are all eager to get to work.”

Vikings brass had to wait ten days until after the Super Bowl to interview DeFilippo, in accordance with NFL rules. But, once the two sides met on Thursday morning, it didn’t take long for a deal to come together.

DeFilippo served as the Eagles’ QBs coach over the past two seasons, and the tenure ended as one of the most notable in the history of this job. Both Carson Wentz and Nick Foles had banner years, the former being the MVP frontrunner before his knee injury and the latter orchestrating one of the finest playoff performances in NFL history. The Eagles now face the prospect of losing both their QBs coach and OC, with Frank Reich set to interview for the Colts’ HC job Friday.

The Vikings interviewed five OC candidates to replace Shurmur, including incumbent QBs coach Kevin Stefanski and ex-Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, but waited through the Super Bowl to meet with DeFilippo.

This could clear the way for Stefanski to join Shurmur with the Giants. Big Blue will need the Vikings’ permission to speak with Stefanski, but now that DeFilippo is moving to the Twin Cities, it appears likely the Vikings would allow the move that would bring upward mobility to the 35-year-old assistant’s career. Shurmur is said to be looking to hire someone to become the Giants’ OC and QBs coach.

The Eagles denied the Jets permission to speak with DeFilippo last year but green-lit a Vikings powwow. And it will lead to the former Browns OC leaving Philadelphia. Foles finished 28-for-43 with 373 air yards and four touchdowns accounted for in a Super Bowl MVP showing. Wentz’s 33 touchdown passes still ranked second in the NFL despite the games his ligament tears cost him.

While the Eagles had Doug Pederson and Reich working above DeFilippo, it’s fair to say the QBs coach played a key role in the dominant quarterback play the Super Bowl champions received this season. The Eagles may have even preferred DeFilippo to Reich to be their future OC, but he’ll soon get to work on Minnesota’s offense.

With the next Vikings OC being the top offensive-based mind within the franchise, DeFilippo will have a big say in whom the team chooses to play quarterback for them in 2018.

Latest On Giants’ Offensive Coordinator Vacancy

February 8th, 2018 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski is the Giants’ top target for their offensive coordinator vacancy, a source tells Alex Marvez of The Sporting News. Trouble is, the Vikings will not allow him to walk unless they are able to lure quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo away from the Eagles. If the Vikings block the Giants from hiring Stefanski, they’ll likely turn to Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley, who Marvez characterizes as “the frontrunner” for New York’s OC vacancy.

DeFilippo could come off the table for the Vikings completely if he is promoted to the Eagles’ own OC job. The Eagles already have Frank Reich in that role, but Reich is up for the Colts’ head coaching position and could be moving on. Apparently, that’s the outcome the Eagles are rooting for – Philly would reportedly like to move DeFilippo into Reich’s position, but they’re not about to fire Reich days after the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.

In an indirect way, Josh McDaniels flaking on the Colts could cost the Giants their top choice for OC.

Vikings To Interview John DeFilippo

February 7th, 2018 at 6:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings officially requested permission to interview Eagles’ quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo about their offensive coordinator job, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Minnesota will meet with DeFilippo on Thursday, according to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM (Twitter link).

It has been reported that DeFilippo is likely to stay in Philadelphia for a third season, but the Vikings will find out soon enough. If he stays, DeFilippo will probably earn a raise and possibly an elevated title, but he’d be unlikely to make OC money as a QB coach. Meanwhile, he’s blocked from ascending the ranks in a meaningful way thanks to the presence of OC Frank Reich. However, Reich is in the mix for the Colts’ head coaching position, so that could be an opportunity for DeFilippo to take the next step.

To date, the Vikings have interviewed four candidates to fill the position Pat Shurmur vacated.

Eagles Prefer John DeFilippo To Frank Reich As OC?

February 7th, 2018 at 6:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo has been a candidate for head coaching and offensive coordinator jobs this offseason, but Philadelphia does not want him to leave. In fact, the Eagles may prefer to keep DeFilippo as the club’s offensive coordinator instead of incumbent Frank Reich, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

DeFilippo’s contract with the Eagles doesn’t expire until February 14, and Philadelphia is not allowing him to speak with other clubs until that pact officially concludes. That’s not being done out of spite, per Florio, but instead because the Eagles hope they can retain DeFilippo going forward.

Of course, with Reich already in place as team’s OC, Philadelphia has no way to promote DeFilippo aside from firing Reich (something that seems totally unlikely coming off a Super Bowl title). However, Reich is now reportedly being considered for the newly-created vacancy in Indianapolis, meaning the Eagles could have an open spot for DeFilippo if Reich lands with the Colts.

The 39-year-old DeFilippo interviewed for head coaching positions in Arizona and Chicago this offseason, and is still being considered for open offensive coordinator positions. The Vikings are willing to wait until DeFilippo’s contract with the Eagles expires before hiring an OC of their own, while the Giants have also been mentioned as a possible suitor. Notably, neither New York nor Philadelphia would offer DeFilippo true play-calling ability, while Minnesota would.

Vikings Willing To Wait For John DeFilippo

February 6th, 2018 at 10:08am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings’ offensive coordinator search could drag on for a while longer. The team would like to talk with Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo about their OC job, but they cannot do so until ten days until after Philadelphia’s season ends, which would be on Feb. 14, Right now, Vikings appear willing to wait, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

DeFilippo has years of coaching experience, but he really put himself on the map in 2017 by guiding second-year QB Carson Wentz to a phenomenal season. When Wentz went down late in the season, DeFilippo helped knock the dust off of Nick Foles, who won the Super Bowl LII MVP trophy.

It’s no surprise that the Vikings are high on DeFilippo, but it is a bit unusual for a team to wait until the middle of February to solidify the upper ranks of the coaching staff. With the NFL Draft scouting combine starting on Feb. 27 and free agency on Mar. 14, that doesn’t leave much time for team brass to incorporate the OC’s input into major personnel decisions.

In the case of the Vikings, they’d surely want their OC to have time to suss out the quarterbacks situation. The Vikings, of course, have three starter-quality QBs scheduled for free agency in Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings may only be able to retain one of those three and there’s even a potential scenario in which they could allow the entire trio to depart and sign a new signal caller in free agency.

Vikings Plan To Interview John DeFilippo

February 5th, 2018 at 3:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

While nothing formal’s transpired yet on the John DeFilippo-to-Minnesota front, the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach looks like a candidate to become the next Vikings OC.

The Vikings plan to meet with DeFilippo, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports (on Twitter).

This subject has not produced much clarity. A report indicated the Vikings were hopeful about a DeFilippo summit emerged last week, but Goessling added shortly after that the two-year Eagles QBs coach was more likely to stay in Philadelphia for a third season.

Regardless, the Vikings want to have their OC spot filled by midweek. The team has already interviewed four candidates to fill the position Pat Shurmur vacated, and this position still being unfilled points to the franchise eyeing a member of one of the Super Bowl entrants’ staffs.

DeFilippo was a hot commodity on the coaching circuit after Carson Wentz‘s MVP-caliber showing pre-injury, and Nick Foles‘ virtuoso display in Super Bowl LII surely did nothing to diminish DeFilippo’s stock.