The Vikings have not waited long after the end of their season to work out an extension with Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota’s head coach has a new deal in place, the team announced on Tuesday.
“Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach – an innovative play caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,” a statement from owner Mark Wilf reads. “He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.” 
O’Connell was previously set to enter the final year of his pact in 2025, but it became clear immediately after the team’s wild-card loss that the team would engage in extension talks. Those efforts carried the potential of an agreement being worked out in short order, and that has proven to be the case. No specifics are known with respect to term, but this new contract has been announced as a multi-year accord.
Hired in 2022, the 39-year-old had experience as an offensive coordinator prior to his arrival in Minnesota but none as a head coach. O’Connell made an immediate impact, though, leading the team to a 13-4 record in his debut season at the helm. Expectations were high last year as a result, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles midway through the campaign, however, and the team wound up 7-10 and out of the playoff picture.
Cousins’ free agency was a central offseason storyline for the Vikings last spring, and the team ultimately watched him depart on the open market by signing with the Falcons. J.J. McCarthy was selected as a long-term replacement under center, but (especially with the Michigan product being sidelined for the year with a meniscus tear) it was veteran free agent pickup Sam Darnold who handled QB1 duties in 2024.
Darnold delivered by far the most productive season of his career during his first campaign working with O’Connell. The latter’s reputation as one of the league’s top offensive minds has increased as a result, although it remains to be seen if Darnold will remain in Minnesota or take a lucrative deal with another team on the open market. In any case, Year 2 with the former top-three pick or a fresh start with McCarthy atop the depth chart will result in high expectations following a 14-3 campaign.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in the same situation as O’Connell with respect to his current deal being set to expire after the 2025 season. It would come as little surprise if he too were to land an extension, though. Indeed, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes talks on a new deal for Adofo-Mensah are underway.
Ensuring the top organizational decision-makers remain in place for the foreseeable future is a logical goal for the Vikings. O’Connell’s situation has now been taken care of, while Adofo-Mensah is on track to be extended as well. That pairing has led Minnesota to a 34-17 record, and continued success in a highly competitive NFC North will remain the target for 2025 and beyond.
Well deserved, he also really deserves coach of the year. Taking a team some “experts” predicted as a 5 win team to a 14 win playoff team with Sam Darnold, is insanely impressive and isn’t dulled by Darnold turning back into a pumpkin. If Stefanski can get two CotYs for taking pretty stacked Browns teams to the playoffs then KOC deserves this (they’re going to give it to Washingtons coach aren’t they?).
Every coach is dealing with a different situation and the playing field certainly isn’t equal so I basically ignore COY awards as being irrelevant. Some would argue it’s harder to keep a strong successful team from becoming complacent than it is to turn a loser into a winner.
Honestly, there are a handful of guys you could give coach of the year and I would think it’s reasonable. O’Connell, Harbaugh, Payton, Campbell, Quinn. But yeah, KOC would be on top if I had to pick one.
Andy Reid is in a position to lead the Chiefs to a 3-peat and it seems he is being totally ignored…how wacky is that? Lol.
Harbaugh and Campbell did exactly what was expected. They should not be in the running even though they will be. If doing what was expected then Andy Reid should have won the COY several times even when he do not win the super bowl. Payton, Quinn and O’Connell should be front runners. I do not think KOC will get it though it just seems those things do not break MN way very often.
Harbaugh did not do “exactly what was expected.” The Chargers were not expected to win 11 games coming off 5 wins and cutting their top two receivers loose.
I wonder if he was thinking about John Harbaugh. Jim definitely deserves to be in the conversation.
Duh.
With O’Connell extended, Darnold will be gone as they turn to McCarthy.
Darnold would have been gone whether or not KOC was extended. Anyone with eyes could make that determination