5 Coaches Who Could Save Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen’s first four NFL starts read like an S.O.S. message. The rookie quarterback has been in need of help.

Rosen was supposed to be pro-ready. He doesn’t look like it. He may not have had the highest ceiling among the quarterback prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft, but many expected Rosen to contribute immediately for a franchise. Rosen took over quickly for the Arizona Cardinals, but the results have been poor, particularly in Week 7 when the Denver Broncos demoralized Arizona on Thursday night, 45-10. Terrorized by Von Miller, Rosen threw three interceptions amid six sacks and a fumble.

This bad start isn’t Rosen’s fault — not entirely. Rosen is playing behind a bad offensive line and under a really bad coaching staff, which can’t seem to get together a coherent offensive game plan for their rookie quarterback. MMQB’s Connor Orr painted a nice picture of the outdated and simplistic scheme which the Cardinals are running. Larry Fitzgerald’s dad is also not happy with how offense coordinator Mike McCoy. Even running back David Johnson is starting to look like a one-year wonder when he should be a serial 1,000-yard rusher.

With so many gifted offensive coaches in the NFL and in college, here are a few that could help save Rosen’s career, much like Sean McVay did for Jared Goff in L.A. and Matt Nagy seems to be doing for Mitchell Trubisky in Chicago.

Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma’ head coach

Quarterback Kyler Murray looks like a stud. Of course, Murray is not a stud. He just looks like one. That’s a feather in Riley’s cap.

Baker Mayfield also looks pro-ready despite the Cleveland Browns holding him out of action for as long as they could. Another feather in Riley’s cap.

Until last Saturday when the Sooners lost to No. 7 Texas, the Sooners hadn’t skipped a beat since the departure of Mayfield. Riley’s Sooners have averaged 315.8 yards per game, 48 points per game and they own a 92 percent red zone efficiency. That’s silly.

If Riley wants to jump into the NFL, he’ll have better offers than the Cardinals. But that’s not the exercise. So could Riley help get Rosen going? Absolutely.

John DeFilippo, Vikings’ offensive coordinator

Who’s to credit for Nick Foles’ absurd 2018 season, including his win in Super Bowl LII? Was it Doug Pederson, Frank Reich or DeFilippo?

Judging by what DeFilippo has done with Kirk Cousins, DeFilippo should take a bow for Foles. Cousins’ start to the 2018 season has placed him in the MVP discussion.

DeFilippo may have gifted offensive skill players in Minnesota — but the Cardinals seem to have plenty of offensive talent between Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Chad Williams and Johnson. That should be enough for  DeFilippo to salvage Rosen. DeFilippo seems to make magic with every quarterback he has coached.

Should Rosen be next?

Josh McDaniels, Patriots’ offensive coordinator

Already shaking your head? No, the coaches who fall off Belichick’s tree have not succeeded. In fact, McDaniels struggled with the Denver Broncos when he was a head coach for the first time. Remember when he drafted Tim Tebow?

But McDaniels’ play-calling and play design is excellent. Surely, Tom Brady makes McDaniels look good. Surely, Belichick makes McDaniels look good. Still, he’s a gifted coach who is always looking toward developing plays and wrinkles that can expose opposing defenses. He’s good at it. He would have no problem building a system that highlights what Rosen does best.

Josh Heupel, UCF’s head coach

The brain behind quarterback McKenzie Milton, Heupel has helped the Golden Knights win their last 19 games, including games against 20th-ranked Memphis and sixth-ranked Auburn in 2017.

In 2018, Heupel’s Knights have yet to face a significant test, but behind Milton, they should be just fine when they do see a top team. The Knights seem set to prove, once again, they are criminally underrated. Another Bowl Game win could put Heupel on the NFL radar.

Heupel had done impressive work with Milton, who has throw for 1,767 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 204 yards and six touchdown over six games. Rosen and Milton aren’t the same style quarterback, but Heupel is a lot like Oklahoma’s Riley without the hype. Similar scheme. Similar quarterbacks. If Riley is on NFL lists, Heupel should be, too.

Todd Monken, Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator

Look what he did with Ryan Fitzpatrick. The quarterback had a jaw-dropping start to the season.

If Monken can do wonders for Fitzpatrick, then he should be able to help Rosen. Admittedly, Monken hasn’t had as much success with Jameis Winston, who has been shaky since taking over for Fitzpatrick following Winston’s suspension.

Winston will turn things around, and already has began to do so against the Falcons when he completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 395 yards four touchdowns and two interceptions. Winston should soon be just as prolific in this offense, and Monken’s rise will resume. He may soon be one of the hotter offensive-minded commodities in the NFL.