Norv Turner has resigned from his post as the Minnesota Vikings' offensive coordinator, the club announced Wednesday morning
No reason was given for the resignation, but a look at the Vikings' offensive numbers is enough to hazard a guess. The Vikes rank 31st in the NFL in total offense at 293.3 yards per game and 31st in yards per play at 4.6. Minnesota was one of 10 teams averaging less than 20 points per game. Still, the move is a surprising one given that the Vikings are 5-2 and sit atop the NFC's North Division. Minnesota has lost two in a row, though, falling 21-10 at Philadelphia last week and 20-10 at Chicago on Monday night.
There is recent precedent for a winning team firings its offensive coordinator and finding success that same season. The Baltimore Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in 2012 and won the Super Bowl that same season.
Those Ravens, however, were not playing without their starting quarterback, running back and top two offensive tackles, as these Vikings are.
Pat Shurmur, in his first year coaching the Vikings' tight ends, previously worked as the Cleveland Browns' head coach and the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator.
Turner is a true survivor in the coaching business. He's coached continuously since 1975, including as an NFL offensive coordinator or head coach every year since 1991.
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