Kevin O’Connell Trade Rumors…? Multiple Teams Interested in Minnesota Vikings Head Coach
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for probably the biggest regular season game in franchise history tonight vs the Detroit Lions. Sure, tonight’s NFL regular season finale crown an NFC North champion, and that absolutely matters.
The Vikings have only won their division three times since 2009 (’22, ’17, ’15). But Sunday Night Football in week 18 this year goes way beyond the NFC North. Tonight’s game will also decide who gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which comes with a bye next weekend, in the first round of the playoffs, along with home field advantage all the way up to the Super Bowl.
The 2024 Cinderella Minnesota Vikings
For two indoor teams with loud crowds like the Vikings and Lions, that could be the difference in making a real run, and fizzling out in the first couple rounds. The best part about tonight’s game is that the national media is being forced to pay attention to the NFL’s flyover country.
No Niners, Cowboys, Chiefs or Patriots. No New York or LA teams, either. Instead, it’s all eyes on Minnesota vs Detroit. And sure, national media still wants to slip the Cinderella slipper on the Lions, thanks to their decades of ineptitude.
But really, it’s the Minnesota Vikings who nobody expected to be in this position. In the preseason, this is a team that was projected to win just 6.5 games. Instead, they’ve already won 14 and looking to tie the franchise record of 15.
So, how did the Vikings — a team that was projected by oddsmakers to win only six or seven games — end up 14-2, with a chance to do something no Vikings team has done since 1998, which is win the National Football Conference?
Yes, quarterback Sam Darnold is the easy answer. His resurgence, from 1st round bust to MVP candidate — 68.1% Cmp | 4,153 Yds, 35 TD | 12 INT — is the main on-field reason why the 2024 Minnesota Vikings are where they are.
Kevin O’Connell is HIM… and still without a contract extension.
But behind the 27-year-old reformed QB is an even more obvious choice for 2024 purple and gold MVP. For anyone who pays attention, it’s obvious. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, who is now a 10 to 1 favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year, is the key behind Minnesota’s surprising success in 2024.
Kevin O’Connell deserves Coach Of The Year. pic.twitter.com/6ayBLm30Nu
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 4, 2025
In the nearly three complete seasons since KO was hired, not only has the 39-year-old head coach proven himself as one of the most player approved coaches in the NFL, but the Vikings are 34-16 under his tutelage and going for their second division title in three seasons.
So… one big question has begun floating around NFL circles, now that all attention is focusing in on the Minnesota Vikings. Why doesn’t Kevin O’Connell have a contract extension yet? Still riding his initial agreement with the Vikings, O’Connell has just one season remaining before he would become a free agent coach.
Related: Vikings Eat Into Lions Home Field Advantage by Purchasing $2 Million Worth of Tickets at Ford Field…
There is no great answer as to why Kevin doesn’t have an extension in hand, already. The Wilfs could have re-upped KOC in the offseason, but never broached the topic with his representation. In fact, they haven’t even talked to the head coach about an extension at all during this miraculous 14-2 season, according to NFL insider Jay Glazer (FOX Sports).
Other NFL teams want to trade for Kevin O’Connell…?
And when Glazer started poking around his sources for names being discussed by head coach hungry teams, behind the scenes, he continued to get a surprising name back. You guessed it, they’re all salivating over the idea of bringing in Minnesota Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell.
Sunday scoopage: surprise candidate on multiple team’s coaching candidates
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 5, 2025
lists: Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He has one year remaining on his deal after the season and a few teams have an interest in possibly trying to TRADE for him. @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TipEYM6FF6
“There is one [head coaching] candidate out there that’s going to surprise you all, that no one knows is on the list, and he is. That candidate… is Kevin O’Connell. There are multiple teams that actually are considering trying to trade for Kevin O’Connell. And the reason why? Next year is the last year of his deal, he’s had no contract talks at all.
Look, if you’re a team out there, why not take a shot, see if you can do it. Maybe the Vikings don’t let it happen. But also, Kevin O’Connell also has the cards, [if he’s] saying ‘hey listen, I’m not going to re-sign there so you might as well get something for me’. Now I don’t know [if that’s the case]. Kevin knows about this right now, but there are multiple teams out there who have him on that board.”
Jay Glazer – FOX NFL Sunday
There you have it. The Minnesota Vikings are trading Kevin O’Connell…. Wait! Don’t leave yet. That was just a joke. Take a deep breath, because the Vikings are not trading their head coach.
Related: Who Ya Got… Brian Flores or Ben Johnson?
Why the Vikings aren’t trading Kevin O’Connell?
Not only has KOC turned Sam Darnold’s career around, but just three seasons into his head coaching career, and O’Connell has already proven himself as one of the best leaders of men in all of football. Nobody knows that better than the Wilf family, who works closely with their head coach each week.
What we know for sure is that the Wilfs love Kevin O’Connell. In fact, they love him so much that they went public over the weekend, in an interview with Ben Goessling (Star Tribune), with their plans to extend both KOC and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason.
Once the season is done, [Vikings] ownership plans to begin talks with the general manager and head coach about contract extensions. In a recent interview… co-owner Mark Wilf was asked how high the owners’ interest level is in reaching new deals with Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell this offseason.
“We’re looking forward to a great future with these guys. We look forward to having those conversations with each of them after the season. We have tremendous confidence, and we look forward to their continued leadership of the franchise.”
Ben Goessling – Star Tribune (Quote: Mark Wilf)
When O’Connell was hired by the Minnesota Vikings and their new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, it was a letdown hire. That was no offense to Kevin, but you have to remember the circumstances. KOC was hired shortly after a week or two of full-blown Jim Harbaugh madness.
KOC was not our first choice, but he was the best choice
Remember, the Harbaugh to Minnesota rumors started hot and heavy, climaxing with a day-long visit to TCO Performance Center. But to everyone’s shock and dismay, the younger Harbaugh brother left Minneapolis in early February, 2022 without a contract and the Vikings officially hired Kevin O’Connell about two weeks later.
Since his hire, not only have the Minnesota Vikings won on the field, but the reviews of the organization, from those who have been in it, are 2nd to none. Why do the Vikings rank No. 1 or No. 2 in each of the last two NFLPA Player surveys (2023 & 2024) for best organization to play for? Veteran right tackle, Brian O’Neill — who was here during multiple Zimmer years — will tell you exactly why. It’s Kevin O’Connell.
“You know the NFLPA report card?” right tackle Brian O’Neill said in August, referring to the player survey that identified the Vikings as one of the most highly regarded teams in the league in terms of working conditions and environment. “(O’Connell) is the report card. He sets the tone for the entire building.”
The Athletic (October 17, 2024)
The guys talking about #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell is so wholesome 🥹pic.twitter.com/1cI9sURDYn
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) January 4, 2025
Of course, as Jay Glazer pointed out in his appearance Sunday, Kevin O’Connell holds all the cards. If he doesn’t want to coach the Minnesota Vikings, the Wilfs would absolutely trade him, if other teams had interest, which they clearly do.
Related: Detroit Lions Getting Reinforcements Back vs Minnesota Vikings
But there is ZERO evidence that is the case. By all accounts, KO loves coaching the Minnesota Vikings, thanks to the great relationship he has with his general manager, and others in the front office; not to mention the freedom/support always being offered by the Wilf ownership group. So don’t worry, Vikings fans. Your head coach isn’t going anywhere.
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