Whereas a number of groups across the NFL are looking for their subsequent head coach, the Minnesota Vikings have already got the person they consider in for his or her job.
They’re additionally taking nice steps to verify he doesn’t get away anytime quickly.
The Vikings introduced on Tuesday that they’ve agreed to phrases with head coach Kevin O’Connell on a multiyear contract extension.
Phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed, however given the success O’Connell has had in his first three years with the Vikings, it’s nearly sure to be a reasonably profitable deal.
The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 common season in 2024 and are 34-17 in O’Connell’s first three years operating the workforce.
The 2024 season was arguably his finest season with the Vikings, with O’Connell main the workforce to a shocking 14 wins report regardless of making an attempt to exchange veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with a rookie (J.J. McCarthy), after which having to lean on Sam Darnold after McCarthy was misplaced for the season earlier than it even started.
It could have been simple for the Vikings’ season to crumble with out a confirmed top-tier beginning quarterback on the roster, however they ended up having probably the greatest common seasons in franchise historical past.
Now that the Vikings have established themselves as a constant playoff workforce within the NFC, and now that O’Connell is locked in as their long-term head coach, the expectation has to extend. Regardless of making the playoffs in two of his first three seasons, and regardless of already having two 13-win seasons with the Vikings, O’Connell’s workforce is 0-2 within the playoffs, each occasions shedding to groups that had a worse report than them.
Given the brand new contract extension, it’s clearly not but a priority, particularly if the workforce goes to maintain profitable on the price it has up to now below O’Connell. However sooner or later, playoff success might want to comply with.
Now with O’Connell’s contract set, the Vikings’ subsequent order of enterprise shall be determining what to do with their quarterback scenario. Darnold is ready to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and given the way in which he completed the season, they could not need to make investments massive cash in him, particularly with McCarthy — a first-round decide in 2024 — set to return.
