Kevin O’Connell’s staying put for the long haul.
O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a multiyear contact extension, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday. The team announced the pact shortly thereafter.
O’Connell was set to enter the final season of his original contract with the club.
"Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach -- an innovative play-caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,” Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. "He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans."
Talks are also ongoing with the Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on an extension as the club looks to keep the O'Connell-Adofo-Mensah combo together, Rapoport and Pelissero reported.
Speaking last week, O’Connell made it clear that he enjoys coaching in Minnesota and now he has contractual assurances beyond the 2025 season.
"What I would say is I love being the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings," O'Connell said on Jan. 16. "I love our ownership, I have a great relationship with our ownership. Feel so fortunate, like I said, not only the way they support us and believe in us, but also the impact they have on our players, our locker room and ultimately where we all want to go together. Feel very, very great about that."
O’Connell was hired to helm the Vikings ahead of the 2022 season following two seasons as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator.
The 39-year-old has produced a 34-17 overall record with a pair of playoff appearances, though Minnesota has bowed out in the wild-card round each time.
This past season, O’Connell’s Vikings went 14-3, earning the second-most wins in franchise history and tying for the most victories ever for a non-No. 1 seed. However, they lost to the Rams, exiting the season with two straight losses in humbling fashion.
Each of those defeats -- including in the regular-season finale to the Detroit Lions, which cost the Vikings the No. 1 seed and NFC North -- came in lopsided fashion as O’Connell’s offense and quarterback Sam Darnold managed just nine points in each game.
With O’Connell’s extension out of the way, the chief narrative for the Vikings this offseason will be on the quarterback position.
Darnold is an impending free agent who sparkled under O’Connell until the aforementioned two-game skid. 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy missed his rookie season after suffering a preseason knee injury.
However, Minnesota can find solace with O’Connell on the sidelines.
Throughout O’Connell’s three-year tenure, he’s won ballgames with four starting quarterbacks – Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall.
So, as the QB1 spot remains in flux, the Vikings’ QB whisperer will be around to sort it out as Minnesota aims to rebound from a successful regular season that led to an early postseason exit.
“It is an absolute honor to continue leading the Minnesota Vikings,” O'Connell said in a statement. “Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Wilf family for their unwavering belief in what we are building together. I also want to thank Leah and our incredible children; their love and support allow me to perform this job at a high level. And none of this would be possible without the dedication of our coaches, players and support staff. I can’t wait to get back to work with all of them as we continue to build upon the high standard we’ve set and the positive environment we’ve created.
“To Vikings fans, you are the best in the NFL. There is no greater joy than leading our team in front of you each Sunday and experiencing the home field advantage you create. I’m thrilled for the years ahead and will continue to give you everything I have as we pursue a Super Bowl for the state of Minnesota.”