Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O’Connell Agree To Contract Extension

Yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings and Kevin O’Connell agreed to a contract extension. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. The compensation is sure to be substantial. O’Connell is and will be the head coach of the Vikings for the foreseeable future. 

There was never a doubt. It was inevitable. Despite clown reports and speculation that there was tension in the building and that O’Connell could be had by any team with high-end draft picks to spend, this agreement was the only possible outcome. The Vikings found their head coach in 2022 and he’s here to stay.

The list of accomplishments in O’Connell’s three years with the Vikings is significant:

-34-17 record 

-won 30 games quicker than any coach in team history

-first Vikings coach to have multiple 13-win seasons

-two 13-win seasons with different quarterbacks

-helped create a culture and environment that’s the envy of the league

If not for an injury-ravaged 2023 season, O’Connell’s three-year win total likely would’ve inched closer to 40. Only the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions have won more games than the Vikings since O’Connell was hired. The only knock to his great head coaching start is an 0-2 playoff record. That’ll change about a year from now. 

His work with the 2024 Vikings might’ve earned him the league’s Coach of the Year award. He’s certainly in the running for it. 

Next up is a contact extension for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Vikings future is in good hands. With O’Connell firmly in place and J.J. McCarthy ready to take over the team, the Vikings future is as bright as it’s ever been.