Norv

Turner

Turner, 72, last worked as an offensive coordinator for the Panthers in 2019, when Carolina ranked 29th in points per game and 24th in yards per game. Turner will reportedly help guide the lifeless Raiders offense alongside his son, Scott Turner, who will serve as the team’s new offensive coordinator after the Raiders fired OC Luke Getsy this week. This is Turner’s second stint with the Raiders; he was the team’s head coach from 2004-2005. He’ll try to turn around a Vegas offense that ranks dead last in EPA per play and 25th in offensive success rate. It’s unclear who will be the team’s starting QB under Turner.

The rare son-to-father nepotism pipeline here, as Scott Turner is a favorite to emerge as Raiders offensive coordinator under Antonio Pierce after Luke Getsy’s dismissal. You could tell us anybody coached or played for the Raiders in the last month of the season and we’d believe it at this point. Norv has not had an NFL job since 2019 and is 72 years old.

Neither Norval nor DC Ray Horton has formally been relieved of their duties in Cleveland, but the wayward franchise has allowed them to interview for jobs as their quixotic coaching search rolls on. Turner had grown stale by the end of his time in San Diego, but produced more points than should have been expected in Cleveland considering his lack of a viable quarterback or running back. He’d be a strong addition to new coach Mike Zimmer’s staff, and a welcome hire for Adrian Peterson. Turner has coached five rushing champs during his career.

Multiple media outlets have seconded the report, while FOX Sports’ Alex Marvez adds that Norv’s son, Scott, will be named QBs coach. Scott worked with Norv in Cleveland as the Browns WRs coach. Norv’s hiring is a big one for the Vikings, but he’s thrust into another situation where there’s no quarterback in place. At least this time Norv has Adrian Peterson. Cordarrelle Patterson is also an interesting fit into Norv’s downfield, aggressive passing attack.

Turner made the most of his limited weapons in Cleveland, and would be an ideal fit for big-armed Joe Flacco. Although the Browns all but abandoned the ground game in 2013, Turner also has a long history of successfully running the ball, coaching the league’s rushing champ five separate times. He’d be an improvement on Jim Caldwell.

“It’s all about balance,” Turner said. “We need to be good at all things.” Turner was once among the league’s best in running a balanced offense, but got pass happy near the end of his run in San Diego. His 2013 Browns offense was inexplicably the most pass heavy in the league, but that was largely a result of the Browns’ total lack of talent at running back. That won’t be an issue in Minnesota, but quarterback will. Regardless of who’s under center, expect Norval to pound away with Adrian Peterson.

Turner is the second coordinator to leave the Browns this week after DC Ray Horton signed with the Titans earlier on Saturday. In Minnesota, he’ll have complete control of the offense under defensive-minded HC Mike Zimmer. The Vikings have an unsettled quarterback situation going into the offseason, but Turner’s aggressive passing scheme should maximize the talents of Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings. He also figures to incorporate more of a commitment to the running game behind Adrian Peterson after ranking 27th in rushing offense with the Browns this past season. Turner is an upgrade over Bill Musgrave’s conservative, West Coast system and will look to improve one of the worst passing attacks in the league in 2013.

It was fair to wonder whether Turner jumped ship or he was pushed off. But this sounds like it was all his decision. There had been rumors this was going to be Turner’s last season anyway. Maybe his heart simply wasn’t in it anymore. That’s fine. But the Vikings are in a bind already on a short week. TEs coach Pat Shurmur was promoted to OC following Turner’s departure.

This comes as quite the shock. Turner, 64, has been calling the plays in Minnesota since coach Mike Zimmer took the job at the start of the 2014 season. It’s fair to wonder if Turner was forced out after the Vikings scored just 10 points in back-to-back games against the Eagles and Bears following the Week 6 bye. Both were Vikings losses after the team started 5-0. It’s no secret the defense has been carrying Minnesota all season, as Turner’s unit is 31st in total yards and 25th in points. But he lost Teddy Bridgewater (torn ACL) and Adrian Peterson (torn meniscus) to early-season knee injuries. The offensive line has also been riddled with injuries and can’t block anyone. Look for OL coach Tony Sparano or TEs coach Pat Shurmur to take over for Turner.

“I just enjoy it too much,” Turner said. “I really enjoy teaching the players.” Turner is now 64, but he remains one of the sharpest offensive minds in the game. He should get plenty of calls when the coaching carousel starts spinning.