Redskins interim head coach Bill Callahan confirmed Monday that offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell will take over play calling duties.
In what is the first of many changes under Callahan, O’Connell will get the benefits of being the offensive coordinator by calling the plays. Under recently-fired head coach Jay Gruden, O’Connell was involved in the game planning, but it was the head coach that relayed the play calls to the quarterback.
Many have praised O’Connell’s mind, including inside the Redskins organization. Former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith called the 34-year old “The next Sean McVay,” referencing Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who is viewed as an offensive mastermind.
“He will do a great,” Callahan said of O’Connell, per George Wallace of WTOP. “He’s well prepared.”
O’Connell may be the frontrunner to be the Redskins head coach in 2020. And instead of having him being tasked of a turnaround in a potential lost season this year, naming Callahan the interim head coach protects their young star coach.
If O’Connell is to be the next permanent head coach, he will enter next season with a clean slate. But now, he will get the opportunity to prove he is as good as advertised.
His first challenge will be against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins defense has allowed an NFL-worst 472 yards per game and are ranked 31st against the pass and last against the run.
