The Minnesota Vikings might finally put an end to the co-defensive coordinator label with news of Ed Donatell now emerging as the favorite to land the job.
According ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Donatell was expected to join the Seattle Seahawks as a defensive assistant, but the team is now preparing to lose him.
“Ed Donatell has emerged as the favorite or the Vikings defensive coordinator position, sources tell @DanGrazianoESPN and me,” Fowler posted on Twitter. “Seattle – which was hiring him as a defensive assistant – is now bracing to lose him. New coach Kevin O’Connell getting plenty of experience on defense.”
Ed Donatell has emerged as the favorite or the Vikings defensive coordinator position, sources tell @DanGrazianoESPN and me. Seattle – which was hiring him as a defensive assistant – is now bracing to lose him. New coach Kevin O’Connell getting plenty of experience on defense.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 9, 2022
Before agreeing to come on as an assistant for the Seahawks, Donatell served as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos for the previous three seasons.
Like the Vikings, the Broncos are undergoing a serious facelift right now with the staff after Nathaniel Hackett was announced as the new head coach. Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell is expected to be hired by the Vikings as head coach after Super Bowl LVI.
The Broncos had the No. 2-ranked scoring defense in the league this season behind the Buffalo Bills, and they were ranked ninth in total yards allowed. Donatell is an experienced coach who could clearly help a Vikings defense that ranked among the worst this season.
