Keenan McCardell will be joining the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl as an offensive coordinator. The event will finish with a flag football game where Eli and Peyton Manning are the head coaches. But they will be assisted by a variety of NFL coaches and celebrities.
How did McCardell land the role, and what will he bring?
Keenan McCardell Is Offensive Coordinator at the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl
McCardell will serve as offensive coordinator for the NFC Roster under Eli Manning. The coach will be in charge of calling plays in Orlando, Florida, and Manning will give him full autonomy as the OC.
Speaking to ESPN, Manning revealed that he has “handed over the reins” to McCardell. “Keenan, you run it. I’ll be the head coach. I’ll talk trash to Peyton. I’ll be handling the players. I don’t want to think about calling any plays. This is your show.”
McCardell is currently the wide receivers coach for the Minnesota Vikings, and he will be joined by Viking players C.J. Ham, Danielle Hunter, and Andrew DePaola on the NFC roster.
Vikings fullback Ham said, “The energy [McCardell] brings is always contagious, and he’s just out there having fun and dialing it up.”
The coach is growing a reputation in the league, with receivers such as Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison developing under his coaching. McCardell has been preparing for the role and is excited to get into the games.
“We’ve got some tricks,” McCardell said. “But mostly, you call some plays and get out the way and let the best in the game make those plays for you.”
McCardell’s Coaching and Playing Career
McCardell has been the WR coach for the Vikings for three seasons but has been coaching since 2010. He has always coached receivers and has spent time with the Washington Redskins (2010-2011), a brief spell in college with the Maryland Terrapins (2014-2015), Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2020), and McCardell has been with the Vikings since 2021.
All his coaching roles have been as a wide receiver coach, which is not surprising given McCardell’s playing career.
A long-time NFL wide receiver, McCardell was drafted in 1991 by Washington but didn’t take to an NFL field until 1992 when he signed for the Cleveland Browns. McCardell played 17 seasons in the NFL with other stops with the Jaguars (1996-2001), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-2003), San Diego Chargers (2004-2006, before returning to Washington for one final season.
MORE: When Is the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Flag Football Game?
In his entire career, McCardell retired with 11,373 yards and 68 touchdowns and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.
McCardell now heads back to the Pro Bowl after taking part in two as a player to be the OC for Manning.
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