Report: Kevin O’Connell new Redskins QB Coach; Matt Cavanaugh likely new OC

The Washington Redskins are reportedly hiring former Patriots QB Kevin O’Connell to be their new QB coach. The current QB coach, Matt Cavanaugh is expected to be named the new Offensive Coordinator if this report is correct. Cavanaugh was one of three internal candidates being considered along with OL coach Bill Callahan and TE coach Wes Phillips. Callahan’s agent has said he is content coaching the OL, and there have been reports of Phillips possibly joining his former boss Sean McVay in LA.

O’Connell started 21 games at San Diego State before entering the NFL Draft in 2008. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round. He backed up Tom Brady for one season, seeing NFL action in 1 game. He was released the following August and then bounced around the league in brief stints with the Lions, Jets, Dolphins, and Chargers.

The last time O’Connell was on an NFL roster was in 2012. He began coaching in the league in 2015 when he was named the Cleveland Browns QB coach. He left Cleveland when the team cleaned house, also firing HC Mike Pettine who was interviewed for the Redskins DC job. O’Connell got a job with the San Francisco 49ers last season as an offensive assistant on HC Chip Kelly’s staff. Kelly was one and done with the 49ers, and now O’Connell will reportedly be coaching Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld, and Kirk Cousins next season.