Doug Pederson emerges as a candidate for an offensive coordinator job

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Doug Pederson has spoken with the Seahawks about their offensive coordinator opening, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and may still be in play for one of the two remaining head coaching positions.

Pederson, fired by the Eagles on Monday, has not yet been linked to any of the six other head coaching positions that were open this offseason — three of which have already officially been filled — and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that Pederson was considering taking a year off from coaching.

But Pelissero tweeted that Pederson’s “options are developing," indicating Pederson could emerge as a candidate for either the Texans or Chargers job or possibly even the Lions job, although the Lions are reportedly close to hiring Dolphins assistant head coach Dan Campbell.

The Jaguars have hired former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, the Jets hired 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the Falcons hired Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

As for the Seahawks, they’ve had an offensive coordinator vacancy since firing Brian Schottenheimer on Tuesday after three years. The Seahawks ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in points per game in each of Schottenheimer’s three seasons in Seattle.

Whoever gets Seattle’s offensive coordinator job will inherit future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson, who had another monster season, with 40 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions and a 105.1 passer rating, along with D.K. Metcalf, the Pro Bowl wide receiver the Eagles bypassed in the second round of the 2019 draft in favor of J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.

Pederson has said play-calling is his favorite part of coaching, so it's not surprising that he would consider a coordinator job if he doesn't get — or decides he doesn't currently want — a head coaching position.

Pederson would be a curious choice in Seattle, considering head coach Pete Carroll said after the season he wants to run the football more in 2021.

“We need to run the ball with direction and focus and style that allows us to dictate the game,” he said on Monday, according to the Seahawks’ website. “Frankly, I'd like to not play against two-deep looks all season long next year, so we have to be able to get that done.”

After Andy Reid and his staff were fired by the Eagles after the 2012 season, Pederson went to Kansas City with Reid and spent 2013 through 2015 as his offensive coordinator. 

The Chiefs went 31-17 during that period and ranked in the top 10 in scoring twice, leading to the Eagles hiring Pederson as head coach before the 2016 season.

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