Whereas a number of groups across the NFL are looking for their subsequent head coach, the Minnesota Vikings have already got the person they consider in for his or her job.Â
They’re additionally taking nice steps to verify he doesn’t get away anytime quickly.
The Vikings introduced on Tuesday that they’ve agreed to phrases with head coach Kevin O’Connell on a multiyear contract extension.
Phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed, however given the success O’Connell has had in his first three years with the Vikings, it’s virtually sure to be a reasonably profitable deal.
The Vikings are coming off a 14-3 common season in 2024 and are 34-17 in O’Connell’s first three years operating the group.
The 2024 season was arguably his greatest season with the Vikings, with O’Connell main the group to a surprising 14 wins report regardless of attempting to exchange veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins with a rookie (J.J. McCarthy), after which having to lean on Sam Darnold after McCarthy was misplaced for the season earlier than it even started.Â
It will have been simple for the Vikings’ season to crumble with no confirmed top-tier beginning quarterback on the roster, however they ended up having top-of-the-line common seasons in franchise historical past.Â
Now that the Vikings have established themselves as a constant playoff group within the NFC, and now that O’Connell is locked in as their long-term head coach, the expectation has to extend. Regardless of making the playoffs in two of his first three seasons, and regardless of already having two 13-win seasons with the Vikings, O’Connell’s group is 0-2 within the playoffs, each instances shedding to groups that had a worse report than them.Â
Given the brand new contract extension, it’s clearly not but a priority, particularly if the group goes to maintain successful on the price it has to this point beneath O’Connell. However sooner or later, playoff success might want to observe.
Now with O’Connell’s contract set, the Vikings’ subsequent order of enterprise can be determining what to do with their quarterback state of affairs. Darnold is about to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and given the way in which he completed the season, they could not wish to make investments large cash in him, particularly with McCarthy — a first-round decide in 2024 — set to return.Â
