That, more than anything, is what OConnell wants to eliminate. Certainly the facilities would have gotten an A+ last year but its hard to imagine they would have ranked No. 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. "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. Even if the Vikings agree to a long-term extension, they seem to be willing to wait until their version of Mr. 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. New Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell sees 'very talented roster' in So, well see what happens.. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. The more I can learn about details and particulars of our current situation, previous situations and what it looks like moving forward, OConnell said, the more my conversations can not only come from an accurate place of where we are but where we hope to get to.. Sometimes how you have to mold and adapt how you play while still staying true to your football philosophy at its core and its not always easy to do, but hes demonstrated that hes been very successful doing it time and time again.. He later reiterated his own self reflection following the season, saying there were a lot of phases looking at everything from how game-management and play-calling tie together to how they handle all the aspects of players schedules to the scheme. Eagan, Minn. (February 15, 2022) - The Minnesota Vikings have named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history. During the 2021 season, O'Connell's lone season with Stafford, the signal caller threw for the third-most passing yards (4,886) and second-most touchdowns (41) in the NFL, all while achieving his career-best 102.9 passer rating (in seasons with more than eight starts), the sixth-best in the NFL. Were going to continue to take a look at whats the best route to go moving forward in that room, as are all the other rooms. Craig Peters. Culpeppers injury took the Vikings into another dark period where they took a quarterback because they needed one. Part of the reason for this is that the Vikings were still recovering from the Herschel Walker trade. Before the Super Bowl, Thielen said onESPNsFirst Take, I want to retire a Viking. If not, they have the luxury of having Cousins to buy more time. The Vikings left the Zimmer-Spielman era in desperate need of improved morale. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back. "As crazy as this sounds, leading the league in yards and receptions, I think he and I have just scratched the surface of where we want to go as an offense, particularly with him as our premier receiver," O'Connell said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had a career years in 2021. While OConnell answered gracefully about his colleague, it was a reminder that they didnt finish the year with a deep playoff run. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. 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. Since the start of 2019, Thielen ranks fifth in the NFL in touchdown receptions (36), trailing only Davante Adams (48), Mike Evans (41), Tyreek Hill (38), and Travis Kelce (37). 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. A lot of guys come in here and say they want to start in the NFL on Day 1. 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. Cousins' 4,093 passing yards marked his third-consecutive 4,000-yard passing season, helping him become the 11th quarterback in NFL history to accomplish this feat. I think we laid a foundation for where we want to go. To see the rest of the Kevin O'Connell's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. But Minnesota watched as Cam Newton, Jake Locker, and Blaine Gabbert flew off the board. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have only held their posts for a year, but they deserve the faith of the Vikings community. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. None of that means anything for what we do moving forward if we dont grow and evolve and change in a good capacity, OConnell said. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) this season, 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. Vikings to hire Kevin O'Connell after being turned down by Jim Harbaugh I think that's where we want to go eventually," Adofo-Mensah continued. With their limited salary cap . The only way theyre going to improve is through hard work and understanding that accountability factor to what their goals are, OConnell explained. My main goal was just to connect with him and build on a relationship that I thought was strong already. The home runs and long ones are great, but as a play caller, Id love to be second-and-5. I'm sure a lot of fans will be going through that right now, and that hurts to hear, I can't lie, but I understand where that's coming from. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, wife Leah welcome fourth child Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whose size has been a matter of conjecture in the run-up to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, officially measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds on Saturday. But the biggest question on everybodys mind was what they were going to do with Kirk Cousins. Wanting to make those guys feel like their coach cares about them, both the person and the player, and their future, its real, OConnell said. If they want a quarterback in this draft, they seem willing to find a way to get them. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell's culture is now quantifiable To better myself and make sure I'm doing everything that I can in this role that I feel so lucky to have and also so prepared to have. His teammates voted him as a captain for what he means not only to our organization but the Twin Cities. ", "I don't want to be the Vikings GM without this guy on our team, so it's a priority," Adofo-Mensah said. How long does he meet that threshold? Ive been very honest about that. Kupp, who was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year at last week's NFL Honors, 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. Senior Editor. Florida's Anthony Richardson, one of the draft's most intriguing QB prospects, told reporters on Friday that in high school he modeled his game after two notable passers: Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Vikings Trade Proposal Flips Cousins For 49ers Trey Lance | Heavy.com 5 Things to Know About Head Coach Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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. The survey of more than 1,300 players that looked at numerous aspects of an organization from facilities to treatment of families to training staff gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. With Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan and Cameron Heyward still on the board, the Vikings decided to get their guy Christian Ponder. . On Tuesday, Adofo-Mensah explained that Cousins camp wants certainty if he is to sign a new deal, while the Vikings seek flexibility. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. [14] He was later released again on July 29, 2011.[15]. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Those are all questions we got to answer. They worked with players they inherited, quickly assessing who was set to return and how to try to add pieces they deemed missing through a strategic approach to free agency and proceeding through the 2022 NFL Draft. ", "As I spent time with Kevin during the interview process, it became immediately clear he will be a great partner in building this football team for long-term success," said Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Passing, he ranked tenth in yardage, eighth in attempts, and seventh in completions. Kevin William O'Connell Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net worth Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 04:43, "Adam Thielen on KOC's lack of screaming: 'It's kind of almost awkward', "SDSU Aztecs Biography for Kevin O'Connell", "Offensive Evolution Under Long Has Come to Pass for the Aztecs", "Kevin O'Connell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile", "Kevin OConnell, San Diego State, QB, 2008 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football", "Lions have seven picks in upcoming draft", "Jets lose confidence in rookie running back Joe McKnight", "Jets release backup QB Mark Brunell, still waiting on Nnamdi Asomugha", "Jets awarded four players off waivers, including QB Kevin O'Connell; cut Aaron Maybin", "Chargers Notes: Former LCC, Aztecs QB O'Connell signed as emergency fill-in", "Kevin O'Connell hired to coach QBs as Browns round out offensive staff", "49ers adding O'Connell to offensive staff", "Kevin O'Connell will coach quarterbacks in Washington", "Redskins Promote Kevin O'Connell To Offensive Coordinator; Matt Cavanaugh Moves To Senior Offensive Assistant", "Kevin O'Connell amicably departs as Redskins hire Scott Turner as OC", "2021 Los Angeles Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports", "Los Angeles Rams come back to win Super Bowl LVI 2320 in front of hometown crowd", "Minnesota Vikings Name Kevin O'Connell 10th Head Coach In Franchise History", "Minnesota Vikings officially hire 'innovative' Kevin O'Connell as new head coach", "Packers vs. Vikings - Box Score - September 11, 2020", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_O%27Connell_(American_football)&oldid=1141660186, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 04:43. As a senior, he was named his team's Most Valuable Player, and selected to All-League, All-North County, and All-San Diego teams. Armando Salguero: Kevin O'Connell Believes Vikings Are Really - OutKick Its even stronger now. 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. O'Connell coached QB Kirk Cousins in 2017, helping him throw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, and record a career-high 342 rushing yards and a league-leading four game-winning drives. 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. INDIANAPOLIS -- Justin Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards and receptions in 2022 while averaging 106.4 yards per game. O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. One of those decisions involves quarterback Kirk Cousins. Kentucky's Will Levis, a likely top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, spoke Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine and -- in under 15 minutes -- presented himself as arguably the most self-assured QB in this year's class. [4] He was the Kai team quarterback in the 2008 Hula Bowl, where he led the offense and was one of the Kai team's only bright spots. Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings And when I think about all that went into it, from a coaching staff standpoint, our players, our leadership of our core leaders and foundation of such a great leadership group that I was able to have in my first year as a head coach in the National Football League, I truly feel very fortunate and blessed," O'Connell added. Vikings Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have a long to-do list A year later, they have far more expertise of the Vikings' roster. If Levis or Richardson is the type of quarterback that answers those questions, the Vikings will likely do their best to move up. Is it to that line?' There are times when hes mad and when Im mad. Kupp's 145 receptions and 1,947 receiving yards both ranked as the second-highest single-season totals in NFL history, trailing only Michael Thomas's 149 receptions in 2019 and Calvin Johnson's 1,964 receiving yards in 2012. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. . I think theres a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities.. Kevin O'Connell signed a 1 year, - contract with the San Diego Chargers, including an average annual salary of -. Kupp's wide receiver Triple Crown in 2021, which he won after leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), joined him with WR Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers, 1990), WR Sterling Sharpe (Green Bay Packers, 1992) and WR Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers, 2005) as the only players since the 1970 merger to achieve this feat. In the early 1990s, Dennis Green used a revolving quarterback carousel that featured Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Jeff George. 4. For O'Connell to coach Jefferson for a "really long time," the star receiver will need a contract extension. But its hard not to wonder what would have happened if he looked ahead, saw Andrew Luck on the horizon and just rode the corpse of Donovan McNabb to the finish line to select Luck, Russell Wilson, or Cousins (!!!) Vikings' Kevin O'Connell Expects Kirk Cousins Back In 2022 Use of any marks, trademarks, or logos on this website shall not constitute a sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder. Its not always easy to maintain that, but I will never change from that because I just believe thats the way youre supposed to operate.. Kevin O'Connell Salary, Net Worth, Offensive Scheme - ABTC The last remaining head coach opening in the NFL has been filled. Vikings officially name Kevin O'Connell their new head coach - Page 5 . Partnered with the USA TODAY Sports Media Group|Powered by, Signed a 1 year contract with Miami (MIA), Resigned a 2 year $1.25 million contract with New York (NYJ), Traded to NYJ from Detroit for a conditional draft pick, Signed a 4 year $2.46 million contract with New England (NE), Drafted by New England (NE): Round 3 (#94 overall). I believe in him as a player.. OConnell knows safety Harrison Smith has done much of the same. 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. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. He isnt on the same tier as Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, but is good enough to hold down the position until they can find that player. "This is a franchise with a deep history and a tremendous fan base. 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. "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. When Favre finally declined, the Vikings were in another spot of desperation to draft a quarterback in 2011. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Quarterback Mike White said he'd like to return to the New York Jets, but knows it might not happen as he heads toward free agency. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. OConnell also referenced fair compensation for his players at the NFL Combine, perhaps a nod to Thielens current contract and how it fits within Minnesotas free-agent navigability. Scouting Combine live updates Top 150 free agents Beat writer . 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.. 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. It's supposed to hurt. There are some hard conversations sometimes. [2] At La Costa Canyon, O'Connell lettered in both football and basketball. O'Connell, 36, was a third-round pick . 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.. The Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs if the sides cannot come to a deal on a long-term extension by Tuesday's deadline, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Friday. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com. $36.25 million against its salary . [4][5] At SDSU, where he was a four-year team captain, he started 21 games, the sixth-most among SDSU quarterbacks, and ranked first in school history in career rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks; in 2007 he led the team in rushing yards. O'Connell, a former backup NFL quarterback who spent time with five different teams, knows the business from a player's side and coach's side. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati. O'Connell and the Rams are coming. But theres a foundation of care., OConnell said the conversations with Cousins are ongoing., Its not like theres some secret thing going on, OConnell said. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. But the quarterback position, both the understanding of where that player truly is when you get a chance to start coaching him, and then what your plan is for that player moving forward.. 1 in other areas before hiring OConnell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, particularly with a different attitude toward players and increased focus on sports science in the training room. I believe in him as a player and was really proud of the way he played this year but we always have to be evaluating, he said. Player development at every position is very, very important, OConnell said. Linebacker Eric Kendricks referred to a fear-based culture in a conference call after the former HC and GM were let go and players acknowledged meeting with ownership in which they asked for improvements in the overall environment. Top Salaries Free Agents Extensions Tools Best Values Transactions Chargers Kevin O'Connell Embed This Chargers, QB Age: 37-208d Exp: Years Drafted: Round 3 (#94 overall), 2008 College: San Diego State Agent (s): - More Chargers - Contract Details Transactions Statistics Transactions Sep 4 2011 Claimed off waivers by New York (NYJ) Ive spent a lot of time with Rob [Brzezinski] and Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah], and well continue to do that in anticipation of being at a certain place by the league year like we need to be and then, How do we go forward building it from there?. Alec Lewis is a staff writer covering the Minnesota Vikings for The Athletic. O'Connell rushed for a touchdown in the 2008 preseason against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter, in a game the Patriots eventually lost 1914. Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. One thing I know, [Cousins] is good enough. "I came from a business where your job is to not be emotional and if you make emotional decisions, you typically make bad decisions. He had been placed on the injured reserve list. ", "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. [But you] sit in exit meetings with players, and it becomes personal at that point," Adofo-Mensah said. 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. He called conversations ongoing about Cousinss future. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. To provide the premier place to go to work and improve both personally and collectively as a team in our league means a lot to us, OConnell said. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, ZaDarius Smith and others. [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. On Wednesday, OConnell said hes hoping that their shared experience in 2022 will help both sides satisfy their needs. "We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. 5. O'Connell's father, Bill, was a longtime FBI agent, and his mother, Suzanne, is a teacher. "Unbelievable talent. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted Tuesday that inking the wideout to a new contract is a "high priority. Login Here. He spent his childhood in Carlsbad, California, where he attended La Costa Canyon High School. A necessary condition is having a starter-level quarterback, Adofo-Mensah began. The coach has made it a priority to educate himself on the particulars of the teams cap constraints. O'Connell was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft and played quarterback at San Diego State University. The more I can educate myself, learning about the details and particulars of our current situation, our previous situation, and obviously what it looks like moving forward, the more my conversations can be not only from an accurate place of where we are at this moment but where we hope to get to, OConnell said. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. INDIANAPOLIS If you walk around to different podiums and listen to NFL coaches speak to the media about their teams offseasons, you are likely to hear a lot about culture. 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. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. The Vikings won the NFC North for the first time since 2017, which was good enough for the NFC's third seed, but were defeated by the New York Giants in the Wild Card round by a final score of 3124. "I think we showed a building full of people, players, coaches, staff, ownership group, this guy next to me, would have the ability to be their best when their best is required. [13] The injury required surgery. [2], O'Connell played in both the 2008 Hula Bowl and the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. McCown also broke the single-game passing record in 2015, throwing for 457 yards against the Baltimore Ravens. As he reviewed the way defenses matched up against his team, OConnell noticed a trend. 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. There also were road losses at Detroit and Green Bay after the calendar flipped to December. There was a mixed reaction to that pick. Stafford set the single-season team record for passing yards (4,886) and tied Kurt Warner from his 1999 MVP season for the most passing touchdowns in a season with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. He takes it very seriously how much people and young kids look up to him. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. in the 2012 draft. "Now, we've got to all the last phase of that is the accountability to each other, to make sure that that standard is championship worthy, and we're putting ourselves in that conversation to a man and to a woman in this building that we're looking at each other and asking ourselves the question, 'With everything we do, is it championship worthy? The Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing decision on Adam Thielens future with the franchise, a team that has employed him since 2013. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings plan on interviewing Rams assistant head coach/running backs coach Thomas Brown for their offensive coordinator position under O'Connell. If O'Connell's staff likes a prospect like USC's Caleb Williams . With Cousins in his mid-30s, the Vikings need to figure out a succession plan at quarterback. Aug 30 2009 Released by New England. Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. Vikings, Cousins agree to 1-year, $35M contract extension 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. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelly, who is an attorney. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. He also writes for Bring Me The News and The Viking Age and hosts The Homer Horn Podcast. Stafford set the single-season team record for passing yards (4,886) and tied Kurt Warner from his 1999 MVP season for the most passing touchdowns in a season by a Rams quarterback with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. The Vikings officially. The victories and records set on the way to winning the NFC North for the first time since 2017 enabled Minnesota to host a playoff game for the first time in five years, but that excitement ended abruptly Sunday when the Giants topped the Vikings 31-24.
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