Brad Childress Fired: Three Potential NFL Teams Chilly Could End Up With

Rather than taking a look back at Brad Childress' career over the last few years, let's take a look ahead.

In case you haven't heard, the Illinois native has just been fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings after quite a tumultuous season. There's been speculation for much of the season that Childress has lost support from not just the players, but from team owner Zygi Wilf as well.

Now, we're going to speculate about his future.

With all that went down in Minnesota this year, it's going to be rather difficult for Childress to convince another team to give him a shot at being the head coach. He has to do what other fallen head coaches have done and prove himself again. That means that he needs to step back down and become a coordinator or an assistant for a year or so.

Here's a couple of places that Childress could end up.

Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The most obvious NFL choice for Brad Childress to return to would be the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prior to being hired by the Minnesota Vikings, Childress served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Eagles.

Childress also has a long-standing relationship with head coach Andy Reid and assistant head coach Marty Mornhinweg. Hard to believe, but all three worked together on the same staff at Northern Arizona University (along with Bill Callahan). All four guys have been NFL head coaches at one point or another in their careers.

The Eagles have long time assistant James Urban employed as the quarterbacks coach right now. Plus, they have former NFL quarterback Doug Pederson on the staff as well.

However, it would not be out of the realm of possibility for Reid to make room on his staff somewhere for Childress.

Cleveland Browns

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DETROIT - AUGUST 28: Mike Holmgren President of the Cleveland Browns watches the action prior to the start of the preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on August 28, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Mike Holmgren is the mentor for Andy Reid. Reid is mentor for Brad Childress.

It wouldn't be too difficult for Childress and Holmgren to hook up. All it might take is just a quick phone call from Reid to make this partnership happen.

Holmgren currently serves as the president of the Cleveland Browns. He had previously served as head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Word has it that Holmgren is really itching to return to the sidelines, especially with the emergence of quarterback Colt McCoy and running back Peyton Hillis. He could push current head coach Eric Mangini to the curb.

If that were to take place, then you can expect the coaching staff to be overhauled. 

Rob Ryan is a good defensive coordinator, but Holmgren is more likely to bring in his own guy. Jim Mora Jr is working as a broadcaster right now, but he jump at the chance to return to the sidelines. Holmgren and Mora have a very close relationship. The second generation coach would presumably come in as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

That leaves the offensive side of the ball yet to be addressed.

Holmgren would love to find someone that is a student of Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense to take over as his offensive coordinator. Having spent years under Reid, Childress is quite well-versed with the system.

Sounds like a good fit.

Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Dallas Cowboys interim head coach Jason Garrett watches the action during the game at Dallas Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Lions 35-19. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Word has it that Jason Garrett is about to go from "interim head coach" to "head coach" in a matter of weeks. Team owner Jerry Jones is just waiting for the right time to make the announcement.

When that happens, it would be wise for Garrett to find someone to take over as the offensive coordinator next year. Right now, the first-time head coach has decided to remain in that role. However, he's going to learn really fast that he needs to focus his entire time on being the leader of the team. Someone else can run the offense.

It's easy to criticize Brad Childress after his stint as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings; he's been labelled as a coach who has simplified his offense to the point where it has become a detriment. He also has shown that he cannot get along with his players.

However, Childress also has a history of being a brilliant offensive mind when there's someone above him. With Andy Reid providing the blueprint, Childress was able to take that and build an offensive system that was able to move the ball. Garrett can provide him with the blueprint and the talented offensive pieces. Childress can then try to prove to people once again that he does have a good mind for the game.