Vikings Insider Warns: Do Not Discount Kevin O’Connell Trade Rumors…
We are just one sleep away from the Minnesota Vikings playing against the Los Angeles Rams in the 2024-25 NFC Wildcard weekend finale on Monday night. Because the game was moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona, due to the ongoing wildfires burning near LA, it’s a game that will feel much more like it’s at a neutral site (since it is), than on the road.
We’ll see how much that matters, when the game kicks off tomorrow night. But until then, a lot of the storylines surrounding this playoff contest are off the field. One of those storylines involves head coach Kevin O’Connell, and the trade rumors that sprouted up last week, when a report from Jay Glazer (FOX Sports) revealed multiple teams who are interested in the Vikings’ head coach.
Many of us laughed off these trade rumors. Of course teams are interested in having one of the brightest young offensive coaches in the NFL lead their franchise. But let’s be real, there is no way the Minnesota Vikings would trade KOC, right? The same guy that power agent Drew Rosenhaus projects to be “one of the greats”…
Insider warns against laughing off the Kevin O’Connell trade rumors
Well, not so fast says longtime local insider and columnist Charley “Shooter” Walters (Pioneer Press), who wrote in Sunday’s paper that Vikings fans should not discount these rumors as trivial, being that someone felt strongly enough to leak the report to a credible reporter, like Glazer.
If you’re a Minnesota Vikings rooter, the rumor last week that there are multiple NFL teams interested in trading for coach Kevin O’Connell should be distressing.
Not because it isn’t true; after all, who wouldn’t want a bright, young (39) coach whose teams are 34-18 in his first three seasons? But distressed because it was leaked to a credible NFL reporter, Jay Glazer, of Fox Sports last week on national TV.
The report should not be dismissed.
Charley Walters – Pioneer Press
According to Walters, there may even be some friction happening between O’Connell, his people and the Wilf family that originates from a couple different pressure points. First, there seems to be some frustration on KO’s side with the lack of negotiations that have gone on, to this point.
Friction building between Minnesota Vikings and their head coach?
Not only could O’Connell be annoyed with the lack of talks that have take place, but Shooter also suggests that, in any talks that have gone on, Kevin may be seeking more power within the organization than what the Minnesota Vikings have been willing to offer him, so far.
Perhaps O’Connell and his agent, Trace Armstrong, have become impatient with the Vikings’ lack of movement on a new deal, which besides money could involve more power within the organization.
But someone wanted the rumor out. Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf couldn’t have been thrilled to see it.
Charley Walters – Pioneer Press
Let’s hope this isn’t the first (or second) sign of a real problem with Kevin O’Connell’s contract negotiation. More than likely, the Minnesota Vikings will get him re-upped this offseason, and KOC will be the head coach of this team for the foreseeable future.
Related: Kevin O’Connell Refuses to Reveal Which Vikings QBs Will be Active vs Rams
Per Shooter, O’Connell can expect an offer from the Vikings “probably can expect a Vikings offer in the $60 million range over five years”. As Charley points out in his piece, that would be $12 million per season, which would put his salary in the top 10 among NFL coaches. But is that offer going to be enough? Clearly, that is a question that still needs answered.
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