George

Edwards

Edwards and running backs coach Skip Peete were both on expiring contracts and won’t be brought back next season. The Cowboys allowed the 11th-most rushing yards per game last season (129.3) but allowed the third-fewest rushing touchdowns of any team in the league. This could be nothing more than a mutual parting of ways, although Edwards could be in-line to follow defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to another team should he land a head coaching job in the next several weeks.

His job title has yet to be determined, though beat reporter Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram hears his focus will be on the team’s linebackers. This will be Edwards’ second go-round with Dallas after previously serving as the Cowboys’ LBs coach from 1998-2001. Edwards was fired shortly after Minnesota’s Divisional Round loss to San Francisco, concluding his six-year reign as defensive coordinator.

Edwards has been coach Mike Zimmer’s defensive coordinator since 2014. He was almost let go two years ago before the sides agreed to give it another try. It seems for real this time. Edwards has helped oversee some elite defenses in his time with the Vikings, even netting himself a head-coaching interview with the Bucs last year after talking with the Bears two years back. The 53-year-old (this week) should land on his feet. The Vikings now need new offensive and defensive coordinators after OC Kevin Stefanski got the Browns’ coaching job.

Edwards just wrapped up his fifth year as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator following previous stints in Buffalo and Washington. He interviewed for the Bears’ head job last offseason but lost out to Matt Nagy. Edwards joins a growing list of candidates in the Bucs’ head coaching search including Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy and former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, who said he would at least “listen” to GM Jason Licht’s pitch. Edwards has coached in the NFL in some capacity since 1998.

New coach Mike Zimmer is assembling his staff quickly. Edwards is on board to help Zimmer run the defense, while Norv Turner is expected to be named the offensive boss shortly. Edwards, 47 on Thursday, coached Miami’s linebackers the past two seasons. He previously worked as the Bills’ defensive coordinator from 2010-2011. Edwards also coordinated the Redskins’ defense in 2003. He and Zimmer worked together on the Cowboys’ defensive staff in 2001.

That’s sure to raise some eyebrows amongst the players. The Vikings insist that Edwards was “significantly disciplined.” This is probably the last we’ll hear of the issue.

Edwards ended up pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of careless driving in August. Overseeing one of the league’s top defenses, Edwards could be facing a short suspension.

Edwards has been the Vikings’ defensive coordinator since coach Mike Zimmer got the job in 2014. Zimmer runs the show on defense, but Edwards obviously has a hand in things. He’s never been a head coach at any level. The Vikings have one of the best defenses in the league, but Edwards would seem to be a serious long shot for the Bears’ gig. He’d fulfill the Rooney Rule.

It’s a surprise in that Edwards presided over one of the NFL’s top defenses and generated some head-coaching interest early in the search phase. Mike Zimmer is a defensive-minded coach, so perhaps the two had too many disagreements. The Vikings’ defense didn’t show up in the NFC Championship game, getting worked over by Nick Foles for 352 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-7 blowout.

Marvez originally reported Edwards was out as defensive coordinator, then later retracted after misreading a text. Edwards presided over one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2017, and his removal would have been a surprise barring some sort of falling out behind the scenes with Mike Zimmer.