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Redskins: Five reasons to be optimistic about the Scott Turner hire

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Redskins celebrates as he returns a kick for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Redskins celebrates as he returns a kick for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 16: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 16: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

The Redskins let go of incumbent offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell and chose to bring on former Panthers coach Scott Turner.

Many were disappointed to see O’Connell go, after it was rumored that he and the Washington Redskins were likely to stick together. O’Connell ultimately wanted to have some familiarity with the people on his staff, and that’s something he wouldn’t find in D.C., now that Ron Rivera has essentially moved his former Panthers staff north.

Predictably, O’Connell was replaced by Scott Turner, who was quarterbacks coach for the Carolina Panthers under Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator during the latter part of the 2019 season, after Rivera’s firing. He was also one of Rivera’s initial hires in 2011, assuming the role of offensive quality control coach from 2011 to 2012.

Turner is plenty familiar with Rivera, but he’s a virtual unknown to Redskins fans. He’s a similar candidate to Kevin O’Connell, but if that’s the case, why didn’t the team just do everything in their power to keep O’Connell, who’s familiar with Dwayne Haskins and other offensive players?

We’ll get into that. Here are five reasons why Scott Turner is a hire that should generate some optimism, and why the Redskins likely felt they had a backup plan in case O’Connell wasn’t sold on coming back.

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