Kevin O'Connell Might Not Sign Extension With Vikings, Per Report
01/15/2025 01:08 PM
While the wider football world speculates about the short-term future of quarterback Sam Darnold, a more long-term problem that the Minnesota Vikings could be facing is the future of head coach Kevin O'Connell.
According to Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer via ProFootballTalk, the recent rumors that teams were interested in trading for O'Connell was more than just a shot in the dark. Per the report, there is "tension" between O'Connell and the Vikings ownership over the team's failure to sign him to a contract extension after his second year, in which they went 7-10 and missed the playoffs.
O'Connell has one year remaining on his contract and there's speculation that he could simply play out his contract this year and sign for a much more lucrative deal with the next team he coaches.
"There's tension in the relationship [between Kevin O'Connell and Vikings ownership], stemming largely from the fact that he didn't get an extension after his 2nd season", per Mike Florio of @ProFootballTalk.
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 15, 2025
Florio notes the rumors from @JayGlazer before the Lions game "wasn't… pic.twitter.com/4RFdMp7zbh
That said, even PFT's Mike Florio concedes that it's unlikely a contract extension between the two sides isn't reached sooner or later.
Despite being 0-2 in the playoffs, O'Connell is the first coach in Minnesota's storied history to enjoy multiple seasons of 13-plus wins. Not even Vikings coaching legends such as Bud Grant or Dennis Green ever reached the mark more than once (though Grant coached most of his career in a 14-game era).
The Vikings aren't going to let a few million dollars stand between them and their long-awaited first Super Bowl trophy.
But if wisdom does not prevail and the Vikings are forced to part ways with O'Connell after the 2025 season, things instantly become very interesting.
Teams that are coming off rough seasons but decided to retain their head coach like the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns or Tennessee Titans might decide to go with the proven 13- to 14-game winner rather than stay the course after the 2025 season - regardless of what happens.
As mentioned earlier, it seems unlikely that O'Connell is allowed to simply play out his contract and become a coaching free agent, but we've seen some pretty crazy things in the NFL. This bears watching in the weeks and months to come.
Where will Kevin O'Connell be coaching in 2025 and 2026?
Related: Multiple NFL Teams Interested In Trading For Vikings Coach Kevin O'Connell
