5 reasons the Minnesota Vikings can save 2016 season without Norv Turner

2. Pat Shurmur Is A Long-Term Option

Shurmur, as expected, has already been promoted to interim offensive coordinator in Turner’s stead. Reported “rumblings” have resurfaced suggesting Turner was going to retire after this season no matter what, which on its own is hardly shocking since he’s 64 years old.

Pat Shurmur, on the other hand, is 51 years old with two seasons as head coach of the Cleveland Brown (2011 and 2012). He also worked under Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles for nearly three seasons, before becoming interim head coach for the final game of the 2015 season after Kelly was fired. So right or wrong, Shurmur surely left Philadelphia having absorbed some of Kelly’s ideas about spread offenses and pushing the pace. The Vikings’ early season offense showed some of those principles, before Turner seemed to seize control and shut out any input from Shurmur.

Turner was probably a short-timer in Minnesota from the start, so it’s not too surprising he essentially lasted two and a half seasons as offensive coordinator. Shurmur is a much younger guy, with (at least theoretically) more energy, a wider swath of ideas and a fresh approach.