The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in two specific coaches for the offensive coordinator vacancy on head coach Sean McDermott's staff. According to NFL.com, the Bills have shown interest in both Greg Olson (most recently with Jacksonville, fired in October) and Brad Childress (Kansas City co-offensive coordinator).
Both Olson and Childress are well-established commodities in the NFL, having been entrusted the keys to an offense, or even the entire team, for double digit seasons now. With all of that data over the course of time, how do each of the candidates stack up to one another?
Some observations from looking at their history as an offensive coordinator or better:
1) Brad Childress, based on the numbers in almost every single category listed, has shown to be the superior candidate. The trouble there, however, is that he hasn't had been the full-on offensive coordinator of a team since 2012 in Cleveland. Much of Childress' success can be considered outdated based on how the game has evolved.
2) Greg Olson has had little success recently, except in 2015 when the Jacksonville Jaguars set his career record (3rd) for the highest ranking in passing touchdowns for one season. Other than that, Olson's offenses have been below average but has continued to get opportunities to lead an offense. He has had some success developing quarterbacks -- as had Childress -- which is part of the explanation.
The full number breakdown on both Olson and Childress based on NFL rankings:
Age
Greg Olson - 53 (March 1, 1963)
Brad Childress - 60 (June 27, 1956)
Years as Offensive Coordinator (or better)
Greg Olson - 10
Brad Childress - 10 (5 as O.C., 5 as Minnesota Head Coach)
Yards
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 22nd
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) - 6th
Worst: 2014 (Oakland) - 32nd
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 17th
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 5th
Worst: 2012 (Cleveland) - 25th
Points
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 24th
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) - 10th
Worst: 2014 (Oakland) - 31st
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 16th
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 2nd
Worst: 2010 (Minnesota) - 29th
Giveaways
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 22nd
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) - 3rd
Worst: 2011 (Tampa Bay) - 32nd
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 16th
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 3rd
Worst: 2010 (Minnesota) - 29th
Rushing Yards
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 22nd
Best: 2010 (Tampa Bay) - 8th
Worst: 2014 (Oakland) - 32nd
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 14th
Best: 2007 (Minnesota) - 1st
Worst: 2005 (Philadelphia) - 28th
Rushing Touchdowns
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 24th
Best: 2013 (Oakland) - 7th
Worst: 2007 (St. Louis) and 2014 (Oakland) - 32nd
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 11th
Best: 2007 (Minnesota) - 1st
Worst: 2004 (Philadelphia) - 19th
Rushing Yards Per Attempt
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 17th
Best: 2010 (Tampa Bay) and 2013 (Oakland) - 6th
Worst: 2014 (Oakland) - 27th
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 12th
Best: 2007 (Minnesota) - 1st
Worst: 2009 (Minnesota) - 22nd
Passing Yards
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 19th
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) - 4th
Worst: 2005 (Detroit) and 2014 (Oakland) - 26th
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 20th
Best: 2004 (Philadelphia) - 7th
Worst: 2007 (Minnesota) - 28th
Passing Touchdowns
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 17th
Best: 2015 (Jacksonville) - 3rd
Worst: 2013 (Oakland) - 29th
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 19th
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 1st
Worst: 2006 (Minnesota) - 30th
Interceptions
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 21st
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) - 1st
Worst: 2007 (St. Louis) - 32nd
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 15th
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 1st
Worst: 2010 (Minnesota) - 32nd
Net Passing Yards Per Attempt
Greg Olson
Average Rank: 22nd
Best: 2006 (St. Louis) and 2010 (Tampa Bay) - 11th
Worst: 2014 (Oakland) - 31st
Brad Childress
Average Rank: 21st
Best: 2009 (Minnesota) - 7th
Worst: 2010 (Minnesota) - 28th
**Individual Season Rankings according to Pro-Football-Reference.com
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