The Minnesota Vikings will move forward with Kevin O’Connell as their head coach. The Vikings inked a multi-year extension with O’Connell after a prodigious season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Minnesota makes the move to keep O’Connell after three terrific seasons. The Vikings won the NFC North in his first year as head coach, and then made the postseason this year again. They fell one game short of the NFC North crown, which was decided in a Week 18 clash with the Detroit Lions.
They’re building something significant in Minnesota, so the Vikings made the logical move in retaining O’Connell.
The team reported the news on the extension Tuesday evening.
“The Vikings and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell have agreed to a multiyear contract extension,” they wrote in a release.
According to Fox’s Jay Glazer, there were teams that rummaged about potentially trading for O’Connell. But Minnesota now makes sure that won’t be happening anytime soon. It was a farfetched thought to begin with, but now that door is slammed shut.
The Vikings make this move amid other turnover in the NFC North. Chicago hired Ben Johnson away from the Lions on Monday, an even more significant move in the coaching circles perhaps.
Needless to say, it’s going to be a busy offseason, and we’re just getting started. The NFL world reacted to the major news.
From LCC to the big stage…and staying there
https://t.co/mEfj7KgTIt pic.twitter.com/kmFZxCjwqY
— Prep Pigskin Report (@KUSIPPR) January 21, 2025
Congratulations to Kevin O’Connell, who became the 1st HC in #Vikings history with multiple 13+ win seasons and one of 2 in #NFL history to win 13+ with 2 different QBs in his first 3 seasons, joining George Seifert. https://t.co/7xLf9n99iY
— Craig Peters (@pcraigers) January 21, 2025
WELL DESERVED @KevOC7
Hoping you win Coach of the Year! https://t.co/056Iw8SM3A pic.twitter.com/VYjIY13ZbK— Adam (@vikingsman_28) January 21, 2025
KOC is a good, young coach. With a few years of experience under his belt and the clear talent he has for shaping players this is an investment. https://t.co/GdBXWFC8Gb
— SKOL Barbie (@SKOLQUEEN0424) January 21, 2025