The head coaching situation for the Minnesota Vikings has taken an interesting turn with Kevin O’Connell making his position clear.
While other NFL teams have shown interest in potentially trading him, O’Connell remains committed to the Vikings organization.
Since joining forces in 2022, O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have led the team to a 34-17 record over three seasons.
Both leaders signed four-year contracts upon joining, and Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf decided to hold off on further extensions.
An insider recently shed light on an interesting development. A playoff loss that drops O’Connell to 0-2 in postseason play could have a big impact on future conversations with ownership.
“Playoff games have a huge impact on visuals, narrative, legacy and what owners value when deciding who to pay in the future,” said Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, via The Purple Persuasion. “… If Kevin O’Connell ends up discussing the Wilfs being 0-2 in the post-season playoffs, I think that’s a different discussion than saying, ‘Hey, you guys haven’t won yet.’ There’s a lot of playoff games around here.’”
sugar @BenGoessling through @AccessVikingsif #viking If HC Kevin O’Connell loses the playoffs and falls to 0-2, that could have financial implications for extension talks between ownership and O’Connell at the end of the season.
“But what I want to say is that in a playoff game… pic.twitter.com/BLljy2SrBU
— Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 10, 2025
Without a new contract, O’Connell will enter the coaching market after the 2025 season.
FOX Sports recently reported that several NFL teams are monitoring the situation and are prepared to pursue a trade if the Vikings land him.
However, team sources emphasized that Wilps has no intention of letting his coach leave.
O’Connell strengthened this stance leading up to the wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams, making it clear he had no intention of being forced out.
Now the big question comes to mind. Could missing the postseason really complicate O’Connell’s future contract negotiations with the Vikings?
next: Analysts say one QB could net $100 million in the playoffs.
