A new regime was sure to bring about major change for the Minnesota Vikings, but there was at least one thing the team wanted to remain the same: Keenan McCardell staying on as the wide receivers coach.
The bond created between McCardell and the players has been immediate on the football field. So it’s understandable why there were serious concerns he’d be lost in the mass exodus of coaches that followed the Mike Zimmer firing.
However, the incoming regime made the decision to keep McCardell on staff after multiple players spoke up for him and his job on social media.
When speaking with media members, McCardell commented on what it felt like to have his players go to bat for him at a time when he could have easily been the next coach shown the exit.
“It meant a lot to me,” said McCardell. “I called them all and said, ‘You guys didn’t have to do that.’ I think my resume would have spoke for itself, and if it didn’t, it was just part of the process because you know in this coaching business you’ve got to do your job, and then hopefully, other people see it and see how hard you work.
“But I appreciate all of those guys going to bat for me. It shows you what kind of room we have. We take care of each other. We look out after each other. We make sure that it’s a family in there.”
"I appreciated all of those guys going to bat for me. It shows you what kind of room we have." – #Vikings WR Coach Keenan McCardell
📺: https://t.co/4rCkSuA2eY pic.twitter.com/LrB9rmsmzC
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 8, 2022
It’s certainly one talented family with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
The willingness of ownership to actually listen to the players and take their opinions into consideration is significant as well. One of the most popular words that has been thrown around in recent months is collaboration.
The players and organization made a collaborative effort to keep one of their best coaches on staff for another season. It’s a happy ending for the Vikings that hopefully leads to continued productivity on the football field.
