It appears Vikings ownership will wait until the offseason to extend the contract of head coach Kevin O’Connell who is in year three of the deal he accepted in early 2022 to take over the team at age 36. If an extension comes this fall, or later, the action will be applauded by KOC’s players.
In early August owner Mark Wilf was asked about the immediacy of extensions for O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah who also is in year three of his contract. “I think right now we’re just focusing on the season and putting those things aside for now,” Wilf said.
That’s certainly ownership’s prerogative but especially with O’Connell it’s highly likely the view of his work won’t change. A new contract now would show a commitment during a season the team is trying to prove itself as a playoff contender with a journeyman quarterback and key new players on defense. Ownership’s conundrum could be they’re not ready to extend the GM and feel uncomfortable in just giving O’Connell a new deal during the season.
O’Connell is one of the rising stars among NFL head coaches. He came to the Vikings without head coaching experience but had worked for elite coaches in Bill Belichick, Jay Gruden, Chip Kelly and Sean McVay. In three regular seasons with the Vikings his record is 21-14-0 going into Sunday’s second game of the season against the 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The resume includes a first season record of 13-4 and winning the NFC North Division championship. Last year’s team got upended when veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was lost for the season in late October.
O’Connell has a storyline showing his abilities and resolve in both favorable and challenging times. He replaced a gruff head coach in Mike Zimmer and has created an environment that players rave about. His offensive genius, including play calling and quarterback development, is something the Vikings have been in search of for a long time. He’s humble, and smart enough to know he doesn’t have all the answers, and is willing to delegate including turning the defense over to superb coordinator Brian Flores.
A random interview process in the Vikings locker room prompted the kind of enthusiasm and unanimity of support by players that is not always encountered with a head coach.
“Definitely a player’s coach,” said wide receiver Jordan Addison. “He always looks out for us in our best interests, and just a great offensive mind. I love playing in this offense. He gets us the matchup that we want. …Run a lot of different routes. Like I wouldn’t want to be in any other offense.”
O’Connell seemingly connects with all his players. “He reaches out to build a better relationship with each individual,” Addison said. “I feel like that’s cool and that’s something that’s pretty hard to do.”
Addison is a second-year player. Younger players appreciate O’Connell’s background as a former NFL quarterback and the sincerity with which he plays his role.
Rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner said he feels more comfort than pressure in the O’Connell environment. “He’s always going to do things that benefit you. He’s most definitely relatable too.”
Veteran fullback C.J. Ham is in his eighth season with the Vikings. He said KOC isn’t a screamer and doesn’t grind down players who make mistakes, while still holding them accountable.
“That’s (a) good healthy culture to have,” Ham said. “Everybody knows I have to do my job. I have to be a good teammate, be a good player. People are going to hold me accountable. I gotta hold other people accountable and do it in the most respectful way.”
Ham said that because the players know how much O’Connell cares about them “you’d do anything for him.” The even keel approach of the coach and his commitment to them is shown with consistency.
“Just who he is on a day to day basis,” Ham said. “He interacts with every single player. When you see him, you don’t have to shy away. He’ll welcome you up with open arms. Say hello and talk to you for a while. I think that’s a good healthy relationship.”
Tight end Johnny Mundt has known KOC longer than most Vikings. He played for O’Connell when KOC was the Rams offensive coordinator, including on the 2022 Super Bowl championship team.
“I love it (playing for O’Connell),” Mundt said. “He’s a great leader. He’s a great speaker. He’s a great motivator and he’s very creative, and he knows how to bring the best out of his players. I am very privileged to be a part of this team and play for him.”
Mundt knows that building and maintaining a successful culture is about a lot more than words. It comes mostly by deed and doing each day.
“Yeah, talk is cheap,” Mundt said. “But we go out there and we work, man. And he’s breathing confidence into us. He’s trying to bring the best out of us, so you know when you have that positive environment, player to player, coach to player, player to coach, it’s contagious and it’s a very healthy work environment. …When we put the pads on, put the helmets on, we’re grinding out there on the field. But yeah, it’s a lot of building each other up. So, it’s very good.”
Brian O’Neill has been one of the NFL’s better offensive tackles in the KOC era. “You play your best ball when you’re confident and you feel good about what you’re doing,” O’Neill said. “Hopefully, there’s a lot of people that are feeling confident and good about what they’re doing (and) we can all play our best ball.”
Would O’Neill love to see KOC get his contract extended during the season? “I’d love to play for him as long as I can. I don’t know how all that stuff works but I am pulling for him.”
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