In the meantime, quarterbacks such as Heath Shuler, Trent Dilfer, and Jim Druckenmiller went off the board until Green finally saw a quarterback he liked in the 1999 draft, Daunte Culpepper. A lot of guys come in here and say they want to start in the NFL on Day 1. O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah have emphasized collaboration throughout their first year together, and the first-time head coach picked up where the first-time GM left off: "As I told our team it's supposed to sting. Kupp, who was named 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press and Super Bowl LVI MVP, had one of the best receiving seasons in NFL history, leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16), earning AP First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati. ", "I don't want to be the Vikings GM without this guy on our team, so it's a priority," Adofo-Mensah said. I know this guy next to me and myself will lead and push and drive, because we don't want to feel this way, this early, ever again. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. The Vikings tried to identify another quarterback when trading up for Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Top 10 Justin Jefferson plays | 2022 season, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah compares team building through draft vs. through free agency, trades. The only way theyre going to improve is through hard work and understanding that accountability factor to what their goals are, OConnell explained. Prior to his one year in San Francisco, O'Connell was the quarterbacks coach in Cleveland during the 2015 season, assisting QB Josh McCown to becoming the only player in team history to throw for 300 or more passing yards in three consecutive games. Kevin O'Connell signed a 1 year, - contract with the San Diego Chargers, including an average annual salary of -. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Those are all questions we got to answer. In his first season as the Vikings' coach, O'Connell has compiled a 6-1 record and the team has a 3.5-game lead in the NFC North entering Week 9. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelly, who is an attorney. You do hope it was a perfect world where you can have everybody and have everybody finish their careers where they should and feel great about it, but its just so hard to do and still build for the future the way the rules are set up, OConnell said. [14] He was later released again on July 29, 2011.[15]. But after a year on the bench, Culpepper took the Vikings into the next decade before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in 2005. Were in a position to do a lot of different things regardless of field position, score of the game, personnel groupings.. Following his release, the New York Jets re-signed O'Connell to a two-year deal. At the end of the day Wednesday, the Vikings head coach left the building with one of the easier media sessions youll ever run across in the NFL. Furthermore, the Rams' 1,186 passing yards in the 2021 playoffs were the most in NFL history,surpassing the 2011 New York Giants (1,144).O'Connell helped Kupp (478) and Beckham, Jr., (288) post a combined 766 receiving yards in the playoffs, the most be any wide receiver duo this postseason. View photos of new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in photos from his time with the Rams. If I demand our team to improve in certain areas, OConnell said, Ive got to do the things we need to do as a staff.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA TODAY Sports). It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing decision on Adam Thielens future with the franchise, a team that has employed him since 2013. During the 2018 season, O'Connell was tasked with getting three different quarterbacks (Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy and Mark Sanchez) up to speed following a devastating injury to starting QB Alex Smith. To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". O'Connell is the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, so he can't officially become the Vikings' new head coach until after the Super Bowl. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. So, well see what happens.. An NFLPA survey showed the Vikings as the best team for players in the league, bringing evidence that the changes they promised worked out, gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. [2], O'Connell played in both the 2008 Hula Bowl and the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. Finding a suitable compromise appears to be the current strategy. "Reflecting on what we were able to accomplish as a football team an NFC North title and 13 wins it goes beyond that. They want tostart every game, lead their team to the playoffs, win a Super Bowl, [but] a lot goes into what it takes to do that.. Sure, there were unsightly losses along the way, including a couple of regular-season defeats to Philadelphia and Dallas teams that each won 12 plus in the regular season and have advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFC Playoffs. The 34-year-old has put up good statistics over the years, including 33 TDs and seven interceptions last season, but he's never delivered any sustained postseason success. Is there a chance to add somebody maybe with different skill sets? But this regime doesnt seem to be looking for a quarterback, theyre looking for the quarterback. Eagan, Minn. (February 15, 2022) - The Minnesota Vikings have named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. O'Connell was asked today if Donatell will be back and didn't . Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in Photos, Kevin OConnell Brings Energy, Innovation as Vikings New Head Coach, 5 Things to Know About New Vikings Head Coach Kevin OConnell. There are times when hes mad and when Im mad. O'Connell played quarterback at San Diego State University, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut on September 21, 2008, in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, throwing his first four career passes and completing three. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. Pelissero noted that Brown, who interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position, is considered a "rising assistant" and is a candidate to replace O'Connell in Los Angeles. On August 5, 2011, O'Connell signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was waived on September 3. Were having conversations with our players, their representation, and ultimately how all of those things shake out will be done in a way where we just want to make sure we stand by what we believe in as an organization.. They could have done what the Pittsburgh Steelers did by drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round last year, but they knew he wasnt the guy. There are some hard conversations sometimes. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history. O'Connell, 36, was a member of the 49ers coaching staff (special projects) in 2016 and overlapped that season with new Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Understanding the goals of culture and the goals of building up through our leadership and setting a foundation and platform for every individual in this building to feel like they can thrive and grow and eventually reach their truest, highest potential. That, more than anything, is what OConnell wants to eliminate. And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. He's McVay's second coordinator in two years to move on, joiningformer Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who is now head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Different quarterbacks require different things around them but we know for sure that [Cousins] meets that threshold. INDIANAPOLIS -- Justin Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards and receptions in 2022 while averaging 106.4 yards per game. The wait is over for Minnesota Vikings fans who were a bit . O'Connell led the Vikings to a 134 record on the season, tying Matt LaFleur and Jim Harbaugh for the second-most wins for a rookie head coach in NFL history. But Kevin OConnells comments later in the week made it sound like something bigger was in the works. The riser was lower than the previous stage, but the team they've led for about a year has been elevated from an 8-9 squad to one that won 13 games for the third time within a Vikings season. One thing I know, [Cousins] is good enough. [29]. ", "Making sure that the standard of knowing we've got the culture, knowing we've got the right things going in this building," O'Connell said. For O'Connell to coach Jefferson for a "really long time," the star receiver will need a contract extension. How do you build the rest of the team? Adofo-Mensah asked. Anchored by T Andrew Whitworth, the oldest offensive lineman in the NFL, the Rams offensive line only allowed 56 sacks in the two years O'Connell was in Los Angeles, which was good for the seventh-fewest among NFL clubs. It comes down to efficiency, he said. O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. A necessary condition is having a starter-level quarterback, Adofo-Mensah began. Even if the Vikings agree to a long-term extension, they seem to be willing to wait until their version of Mr. The obvious answer? O'Connell won his first game as head coach against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season by a score of 237. [25][26], On February 16, 2022, just three days after his Super Bowl LVI victory, O'Connell was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as the 10th head coach in their franchise history. Culpeppers injury took the Vikings into another dark period where they took a quarterback because they needed one. Adofo-Mensah admitted his elevation to GM brought him more exposure to the human elements than when he was advancing through the research-and-development departments with the 49ers and Browns. How OConnell and the front office maneuver through these personnel decisions to counteract the way defenses have played them could well become a key story in 2023. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. "Justin just had an incredible year, but what I liked about it the most was just the impactful plays at critical moments he made for our team, among a lot of our players," O'Connell said. "One of them said that she had been a long-time Vikings fan and always felt let down, and this team felt different to her," Adofo-Mensah said. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Maybe its not even for any one particular year.. Kevin William O'Connell (born May 25, 1985), nicknamed " KOC ", [1] is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Predictability, then, provides comfort to defenses. Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. In addition to helping QB Jared Goff to his fourth consecutive season with at least 3,800 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2020, O'Connell prepared QB John Wolford for a win-and-in game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, helping him pass for 231 yards and rush for 56 more in his NFL debut, while leading the Rams to a 18-7 victory and a playoff berth. But in Kevin OConnells case on Wednesday, he was able to beam about the Vikings culture after an NFL Players Association survey showed proof that he made good on the cultural promises he made at the last NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/WKHqPZU8ea, Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 1, 2023. If not, they could ride Cousins another year and try their luck to acquire their guy in 2024. "We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. He said it's between a startup and one with an ability to earn, adding "in our business, earning is wins. Minnesotas approach to their franchise quarterback seems much more scientific. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos, and The Doors (the band). [3] O'Connell graduated from La Costa Canyon in 2003. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had career years in 2021. O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los A. In the early 1990s, Dennis Green used a revolving quarterback carousel that featured Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Jeff George. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. As we did on Tuesday with Vikings general manager Kwesi. Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, and NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that he would not anticipate the type of one-year, fully-guaranteed extensions that the 35-year-old has signed in the past. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's media day last week at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. The Patriots gave no explanation for releasing O'Connell, who was in competition with veteran quarterback Andrew Walter, signed after his release from the Oakland Raiders, and undrafted free agent rookie Brian Hoyer of Michigan State. The rushing attack. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) in 2021, helped his unit rank second in plays of 50-plus yards (10), fourth in yards per play (5.98) and eighth in offensive touchdowns (51) in 2021. When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strongly about that group, and I still think that theres places to go where we can build upon it even more, OConnell mentioned about Justin Jefferson and his wide receiving corps. Asked about the Vikings long-term future at that position, OConnell said he surveys the landscape of the position each year out of habit. This year brings a different scenario. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. OConnell continued, Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of. [2] At La Costa Canyon, O'Connell lettered in both football and basketball. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM. But even if he didnt injure his knee at Winter Park, its fair to wonder if he would have ever become the long-term franchise quarterback. Whatever the plan, timing is everything for the Vikings. The direct work together began in April when Minnesota could start its offseason workout program and was followed by Organized Team Activities before a summer break that was followed by training camp, he preseason, regular season and postseason. Eagan, Minn. (February 15, 2022) The Minnesota Vikings have named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history. Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. Before his NFL career ended in 2012, O'Connell spent time with the Miami Dolphins, a second-stint with the Jets and the San Diego Chargers. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Even as other quarterbacks such as Willis, Desmond Ridder, and Sam Howell were there in the latest rounds of the draft, the Vikings didnt pull the trigger. The Carlsbad, California, native and his wife, Leah, have two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and a daughter, Quinn. Browse our online application for MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, or MLS player contracts, salaries, transactions, and more. This website is not directly or indirectly affiliated, associated, or connected in any way to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or the National Hockey League. While the survey is the ultimate feather in OConnells cap in terms of retaining players on long-term contracts and signing free agents, hes aware that not everyone is going to be able to return and the team doesn't have oodles of cap space to spend this offseason. What he means to our league, how he carries himself, how he works every day. Facebook Twitter If OConnells staff likes a prospect like USCs Caleb Williams or North Carolinas Drake Maye, they may be better served to wait especially with an aging team that will face a harder schedule in 2023. He recently coached Stafford to a Super Bowl win, helping him post a 4-0 record in the postseason and 108.3 passer rating, which trailed only QB Josh Allen and QB Patrick Mahomes. "Like [O'Connell] said in his final meeting, 'It's supposed to hurt. ", "We've shown that we have a culture and an ability to do those things at a really high level," Adofo-Mensah said. We laugh. Just scratching the surface with #18 pic.twitter.com/MpWlPV7MoN, And then, ultimately, OConnell said, youve got to ask: How do we use that information to our advantage moving forward?. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. They were together in Washington and grew their connection this season as the veteran QB led eight game-winning drives, won the division for the first time since arriving in Minnesota and put together one of his best games in the playoffs vs. the Giants. At first, Adofo-Mensah makes it sound like Cousins is the NFLs version of microwaving Chinese leftovers at midnight. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, O'Connell. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. A year later, they have far more expertise of the Vikings' roster. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. The other was that the Vikings werent in a position to draft a quarterback, picking in the mid-20s for a majority of Greens tenure. Vikings fans should be excited for the future of this team under Kevin's direction. At the 2008 NFL Combine, O'Connell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds; only University of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson had a faster time. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. . Right. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". Those are things we got to answer. There also were road losses at Detroit and Green Bay after the calendar flipped to December. O'Connell was waived by the Patriots on August 30, 2009, two days after a preseason game in which starting quarterback Tom Brady was injured, and, in the second half, O'Connell threw two interceptions and only threw 3 completions on 10 attempts. Part of their jobs during the comprehensive evaluation process will be setting aside those personal relationships and not letting them interfere with the process of building the 2023 Vikings to have the best chance at a championship and be within the constraints of the NFL's salary cap. The Vikings have not gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2008-09. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Already Subscribed? But in Kevin O'Connell's case on Wednesday, he was able to beam about the Vikings' culture after an NFL Players Association survey showed proof that he made good on the cultural promises he. With their limited salary cap . Part of the reason for this is that the Vikings were still recovering from the Herschel Walker trade. Since then, there have been postseason appearances after the 2012 (loss in Wild Card), 2015 (loss in Wild Card), 2017 (loss in NFC Championship), 2019 (loss in Divisional) and 2022 (loss in Wild Card) seasons. In addition to impacting the culture within the building through an emphasis on building connectivity across the roster, the Vikings installed O'Connell's offense with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, a defensive system led by Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell and changed their special teams under first-year coordinator Matt Daniels. The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. "Unbelievable talent. Meetings with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski have helped OConnell in this regard. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. One element of his teams play that must improve? O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. Kevin O'Connell had some interesting things to say about the direction the Minnesota Vikings want to go as they look ahead to the 2023 NFL season. Theres a reason I feel so strongly about Kirk. Harrison Smith stats (2021): 73% completion % allowed, 98.7 QB rating allowed Already a projected $14 million over the 2022 NFL salary cap, the Vikings need to clear a ton of room. I think the priority first and foremost is giving him time to evaluate our roster with our young players and some of our veteran players and see how pieces may fit, OConnell said. Kevin O'Connell: Vikings have 'some real decisions' ahead to get under salary cap By Alec Lewis Mar 1, 2023 14 INDIANAPOLIS Following his news conference Wednesday afternoon at the NFL. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he is "excited to coach" quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2022 and is "anticipating" him being a part of the team's plans. Having been on the visitors' sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium and experiencing that environment as an opposing coach, I am excited to now have the support of these passionate Vikings fans. The New England Patriots selected O'Connell with their fourth pick (94th overall) in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On February 17, 2015, it was announced that O'Connell was named to the position of quarterbacks coach of the Cleveland Browns for the 2015 NFL season. O'Connell is the latest in Sean McVay's coaching tree to land a head coaching job, following the likes of Matt LaFleur with the Green Bay Packers and Zac Taylor with the Bengals. Right. O'Connell and the Rams are coming off a victory in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, some two weeks after reaching an agreement with the club to replace Mike Zimmer, can finally wear some purple. That will motivate us to lead this organization to the place we want to go. There was a mixed reaction to that pick. The Vikings left the Zimmer-Spielman era in desperate need of improved morale. In terms of the things that were different in 2022, the most noticeable were the approach to camp and preseason workloads, managing injuries and how players who were recovering from injuries were talked about publicly and the buy-in to quarterback Kirk Cousins. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. He also writes for Bring Me The News and The Viking Age and hosts The Homer Horn Podcast.