Kevin O’Connell is having quite the season as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, leading the team to impressive heights with their current 14-2 record. Yet, amid the success, reports have emerged raising questions about his future with the franchise.
On Sunday, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported on "Fox NFL Sunday" there are multiple NFL teams interested in potentially trading for O’Connell. The rationale behind this interest? O’Connell is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025, and there have been no discussions about extending his deal as of yet.
"There are multiple teams actually considering trying to trade for Kevin O’Connell," Glazer stated. "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 saying, 'Why not take a shot, see if we can do it.'" The report highlighted the urgency some teams might feel as they search for new head coaches amid this year's changing coaching carousel.
Despite the buzz surrounding O’Connell, the Vikings have made it clear they have no intention of letting their successful head coach go. Shortly after Glazer's comments, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio received confirmation from inside the Vikings organization, emphasizing, "We love Kevin and there will be no trade." This strong affirmation suggests the Vikings have no desire to entertain offers from other teams and fully plan on keeping O’Connell.
Reflecting on why the Vikings might seem reluctant to engage in contract talks, co-owner Mark Wilf previously mentioned, "[An extension isn’t] something we're talking about at this point. I think that's fair to say it'll wait until 2025. I think right now we're just focusing on the season and putting those things aside for now." This statement seems to point toward the Vikings prioritizing their current season performance over long-term negotiations at this stage.
O'Connell's accomplishments speak volumes to his value. Since taking the helm, he has guided the Vikings to a 34-16 record overall, boosting the team’s competitiveness significantly. During his tenure, he has led them to two playoff appearances and managed astounding successes like winning the NFC North title just last season with a 13-4 record.
His work this season with quarterback Sam Darnold, who has been having his most productive year yet with over 4,150 passing yards and 35 touchdown passes, accentuates O’Connell’s capabilities as one of the NFL's top offensive minds. Fans and analysts alike have recognized O'Connell as the frontrunner for NFL Coach of the Year, underscoring his remarkable impact.
Yet, as the Vikings gear up for their pivotal games, formal steps to secure O’Connell on long-term terms are still pending. Mark Wilf indicated to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "We’re looking 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." Wilf's comments suggest there are plans to address O'Connell's contract, demonstrating the organization's acknowledgment of his significant contributions.
The current situation also reflects the nature of the NFL coaching dynamics, where speculation can easily spiral out of control. Historically, the last NFL head coach to be traded was Sean Payton, who moved from the New Orleans Saints to the Denver Broncos, marking how rare such occurrences are within the league. Even with teams like the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints exploring head coaching options, it seems the Vikings are intent on keeping O'Connell firmly planted as their leader.
It may be perplexing to some, why the Vikings have not engaged more actively on the contract renewal front considering O'Connell's performance. Commentators, including former NFL players, have weighed in, with some highlighting how O'Connell's name circulating amid trade talks is surprising, especially with the team's recent success. One former player noted, "If you're Kevin O'Connell, the success he's had, you're surprised they haven't locked him down. That would be offensive." This sentiment resonates with many fans who feel he deserves recognition after leading the team to great heights.
While it appears the Vikings do intend to secure O'Connell and his vision for the future of the franchise, there’s also recognition of the leverage O'Connell possesses now, having established himself as one of the top minds within the league. There's no doubt he has positioned himself well for whatever negotiations may come following the conclusion of this season.
For now, Vikings fans can stay hopeful their star head coach will not only remain with the team through the end of the 2025 season but also eventually sign off on a deal for many seasons to come. They are collectively aware the coaching carousel is still spinning, but O'Connell has proven time and again he's worthy of leading the Vikings forward—now they just have to align on the terms to keep him.