Get To Know New Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing

A look back at the coaching career of Todd Downing, who is expected to be named the new offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.

The news rolled over the Bay Area like an Autumn breeze — the Oakland Raiders have chosen not to retain the services of Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave. The news coincided with other updates regarding Jack Del Rio’s coaching staff, such as the team retaining Ken Norton Jr. as defensive coordinator, and firing Defensive Backs Coach Marcus Robertson.

While Musgrave’s next stop remains to be seen, in his stead, the Raiders are expected to promote Quarterbacks Coach Todd Downing to fill the offensive coordinator role.

For starters, this is a really exciting “in-house” hire for several reasons, which I will discuss shortly. To start with though, what has been Todd’s coaching pedigree in the NFL? Let’s examine Coach Downing’s coaching journey so far.

Todd first cut his teeth in the NFL in 2003 with the Minnesota Vikings, originally working as a football systems analyst before working his way up to Offensive Quality Control. Interestingly, his period in Minnesota was during the tenure of Mike Tice, who now serves as the Raiders offensive line coach — and a very well respected one at that. Downing’s promotion adds a fascinating spin to his football coaching tree in a pupil/master paradigm vis-a-vis Tice.

From 2006 to 2008, Downing worked for the St. Louis Rams, and this is where his pedigree gets even more fascinating. With the Rams, Downing operated as St. Louis’ Defensive Assistant as well as Assistant Secondary Coach and Defensive Quality Control.

It’s an appointment that speaks to an extensive football IQ for coach Downing. An intelligent, knowledgeable and hard working coach who has seen appointments on both sides of the ball. His work as a defensive secondary coach has no doubt come in handy in his tutelage of quarterbacks, in regards to their understanding of coverages.

Speaking of tutoring quarterbacks, Downing’s first promotion in that role soon followed in Detroit in 2008, as Quality Control and subsequently Quarterbacks Coach in 2011. Downing worked with Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford during this time, and in so doing, created an impressive resume for himself in the process. Under Downing’s watch, Stafford posted some of the best numbers of his career.

In their first season together, Stafford recorded 41 touchdowns to 16 interceptions, cruising to a season yardage total of 5,038. Both the touchdowns and yards still stand as career highs for Stafford. While Stafford dipped TD/INT wise the following year, the young quarterback flourished under Downing and consistently threw for over or around 4,500 yards in each of his remaining years as Detroit’s QB coach.

After his spell with the Lions, Downing joined Oakland’s staff in 2015. Downing was instrumental in Derek Carr’s development, helping him along to Carr’s breakout season, in which he began to be lauded as one of the next promising young quarterback’s in the NFL. So impressive was Downing’s role in Carr’s second year, that ProFootballFocus named him their 2015 “Quarterbacks Coach of the Year”.

Prior to Oakland’s regular season finale in Denver, Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area hosted Downing on his weekly “Raiders Insider” podcast (an excellent program if you haven’t checked it out already). As Downing said to Bair:

"“Going from an intern to bouncing around different departments, to finally cracking my way into coaching..it’s been incredible.” Downing added that “I feel like I’ve developed a well-rounded sense of this game.”"

It’s certain that his extensive growth and experience on both sides of the ball has moulded Downing into the well respected coach he is now.

Aside from his obvious success, what is the single defining reason why Downing’s promotion to OC has me excited? Simple, his close relationship with Derek Carr. If you follow the Raiders on snapchat, the Silver and Black will post videos of the team and coaching staff warming up before the game, and be treated to a few peaks behind the scenes in the locker room, training and in preparation. What of the most evident things during these videos is how close Downing and Carr are.

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Before taking the field together, Downing will huddle his quarterbacks around him and together with fists raised in unison, they’ll emphasize what they need to focus on that game. Furthermore, it’s become a common sight to see Downing as one of the first people to run up to Carr after he comes off the field having thrown a touchdown. Likewise, Downing will more often than not be the first guy Carr embraces.

After games, Carr and Downing will always kneel side by side hands held in prayer at midfield, no doubt a deeply personal time of reflection and thanks that further highlights the connection between an extraordinary young quarterback and his extraordinary mentor.

In Charles Woodson’s last home game against for the Raiders in 2015, Carr was mic’d up in a scintillating Christmas Eve matchup against the Chargers. Sounds from that game ended up in Derek’s debut feature on the NFL top 100 last season. One particular moment sheds light on Downing and Carr’s chemistry. Aside from the as to be expected pregame bromance, Downing’s mentorship of, and respect for Carr is evident during this game.

During a critical discussion on the sideline between Carr, Musgrave and Downing, the collective minds on the Oakland sideline discuss how to attack San Diego’s defense in the game’s crucial late moments. Initially, Carr says to his coaches “I’m not gonna say anything, you just…” indicating his reverence for the coaches to decide their attack. Immediately, Downing exclaims “No, say something!”

It’s a tremendous mark of respect for his quarterback that Downing essentially says “listen to us? No, we’ll listen to you”. It demonstrates his faith firstly in Derek’s maturity and leadership ability, but even more so in his football IQ and understanding of the game. It is perhaps indicative of what is to come for the Raiders offense, a unit that Carr will take over the reigns of because of Downing’s belief in his ability to do so.

Next: Musgrave Out, Downing In

Downing’s pedigree, his extensive football knowledge, combined with his rapport and relationship with Carr make for a tremendously exciting future for Oakland in 2017. Downing is one of the NFL’s brightest young minds, and his appointment is a big step up for him that I believe will only enhance Carr’s incredible play.

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