Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell fielded questions from the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. In terms of the things that were different in 2022, the most noticeable were the approach to camp and preseason workloads, managing injuries and how players who were recovering from injuries were talked about publicly and the buy-in to quarterback Kirk Cousins. "It's so easy from my background to sit in front of a spreadsheet and make decisions and talk about things. 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. 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. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history. For what its worth, SIs Albert Breer said on The Rich Eisen Show that many teams believe that the best quarterback prospects are still in college. "He is a strong leader, an innovative coach and an excellent communicator. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had career years in 2021. Is it to that line?' And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. The day the Vikings introduced defensive coordinator Brian Flores, OConnell mentioned the thorough self-evaluation process that took place when the season ended. The Vikings were unable to officially announce that they were hiring O'Connell until after Los Angeles' playoff run came to an end. Whatever the plan, timing is everything for the Vikings. Vikings Trade Proposal Flips Cousins For 49ers Trey Lance | Heavy.com 1. Following his All-Pro wideout's 1,809-yard, 128-catch, eight-touchdown campaign, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell believes Jefferson can soar even higher. "But I wouldn't say that we're that established, 'there' team because we haven't shown it yet. 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). Fired up to watch these guys this fall @b_petty14 @DWatford5 @EverettGolson @Connor_Cook03 @tannerlee12 @bharrisqb1 pic.twitter.com/2TNR1YJlHt But the biggest question on everybodys mind was what they were going to do with Kirk Cousins. Follow us for breaking news and latest updates. 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. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". My main goal was to connect with (Cousins) and build on a relationship, OConnell said. To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". Spielman hand-picked Ponder to be his quarterback after watching a game against North Carolina and a couple of practices at the Senior Bowl. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Sure, it may not be good as a fresh bowl of General Tsaos Chicken, but it beats not having Chinese food at all. Theres a reason I feel so strongly about Kirk. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. From Week 14 through the wild-card loss to the Giants, the Vikings faced 190 snaps against defenses that played with the middle of the field open, by far the highest in the league during that period. 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. Kevin O'Connell had some interesting things to say about the direction the Minnesota Vikings want to go as they look ahead to the 2023 NFL season. "I feel like that foundation's in place. Brad Childress urged Minnesota to draft Tarvaris Jackson upon his arrival in the 2006, and then recruited Brett Favre as an act of desperation to lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. 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.. "Very thankful for him in Year 1 and really looking forward to seeing him growing both as a leader and continued dominance at the receiver position.". In his first season as the Vikings' coach, O'Connell has compiled a 6-1 record and the team has a 3.5-game lead in the NFC North entering Week 9. "We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell 'excited to coach' Kirk Cousins in It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. If not, they have the luxury of having Cousins to buy more time. What I was really impressed with Justin this year was the leadership, the next step. [10], He was named a team captain for the September 20 game against the New England Patriots.[11]. OConnell is well aware. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. And its even stronger now, OConnell said. The home runs and long ones are great, but as a play caller, Id love to be second-and-5. 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. The other was that the Vikings werent in a position to draft a quarterback, picking in the mid-20s for a majority of Greens tenure. A significant part of the positive culture was OConnell and Cousins working together in lockstep. How OConnell and the front office maneuver through these personnel decisions to counteract the way defenses have played them could well become a key story in 2023. During the 2018 season, O'Connell was tasked with getting three different quarterbacks (Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy and Mark Sanchez) up to speed following a devastating injury to starting QB Alex Smith. Asked about the Vikings long-term future at that position, OConnell said he surveys the landscape of the position each year out of habit. "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. The 2020 Rams offense featured the 10th-ranked rushing attack, posting 126.1 yards per game on the ground, behind two 600-plus rushing seasons from RB Cam Akers and RB Darrell Henderson. While the survey is the ultimate feather in OConnells cap in terms of retaining players on long-term contracts and signing free agents, hes aware that not everyone is going to be able to return and the team doesn't have oodles of cap space to spend this offseason. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. One thing he knows is that no matter how many As he got in a survey or wins he posted as a first-year coach, that doesnt mean they can do it all again the same way and get the same results. The Vikings left the Zimmer-Spielman era in desperate need of improved morale. [19], O'Connell was hired to the offensive staff of the San Francisco 49ers on February 26, 2016. With their limited salary cap . EAGAN, Minn. Eleven months and a day after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah helped introduce Kevin O'Connell from a temporary stage constructed in Twin . 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.. OConnell knows safety Harrison Smith has done much of the same. He and Adofo-Mensah greet each prospect when they enter the room both to establish their culture of care and provide other Vikings staffers in the room a glimpse at the players size. How long does he meet that threshold? In 2019, O'Connell helped guide rookie WR Terry McLaurin to 58 receptions, 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, the second-most receptions and third-most receiving yards and touchdowns among rookies in franchise history. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Just scratching the surface with #18 pic.twitter.com/MpWlPV7MoN, And then, ultimately, OConnell said, youve got to ask: How do we use that information to our advantage moving forward?. He spent his childhood in Carlsbad, California, where he attended La Costa Canyon High School. In basketball, he was a two-year letterman, and a teammate of Arizona standout Chase Budinger. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielens fate in 2023. in the 2012 draft. In football, as a junior, he passed for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't saying if Ed Donatell will return as defensive coordinator for the 2023 season. Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. View photos of new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in photos from his time with the Rams. We haven't shown our ability to come in year-in, year-out and do those things. 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. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Along the way, personal relationships grew. Despite entering the league three years after Stafford, Cousins is also going into his age-34 season. Wide receiver Adam Thielens cap number and age (32) present another complicated decision, and OConnell is mindful of the many factors. Following his release, the New York Jets re-signed O'Connell to a two-year deal. So, ultimately, we didn't accomplish the goals we wanted to accomplish, and I always want to be respectful of that. Weve got some real decisions to talk through and things to work through, OConnell said. 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?. Some would take this as a sign the Vikings are ready to move on. Theres a lot of different directions you can go, OConnell said, and (each decision) affects another one and another one. But in between 16-point wins against the Packers in Week 1 and Bears in Week 18 were plentiful memorable moments during a wild ride. 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. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, ZaDarius Smith and others. Under O'Connell, Rams quarterbacks have thrown for 1,517 passing yards (third in NFL), 11 touchdowns (fourth in NFL) and a 106.4 passer rating in playoff games (second in NFL). But it was part of the process to find a long-term solution. ", "We've shown that we have a culture and an ability to do those things at a really high level," Adofo-Mensah said. 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.. EAGAN, Minn. Eleven months and a day after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah helped introduce Kevin O'Connell from a temporary stage constructed in Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center's Indoor Practice Facility, the men sat together at a table on a small riser in the Media Center. [29]. Vikings officially name Kevin O'Connell their new head coach At first, Adofo-Mensah makes it sound like Cousins is the NFLs version of microwaving Chinese leftovers at midnight. O'Connell was waived by the Patriots on August 30, 2009, two days after a preseason game in which starting quarterback Tom Brady was injured, and, in the second half, O'Connell threw two interceptions and only threw 3 completions on 10 attempts. Vikings, Cousins agree to 1-year, $35M contract extension If the Vikings parted ways with Thielen via outright release or trade, theyd face three plausible options for 2023s WR2: For now, OConnell views Thielen as an unabashed team leader, but the front office must determine the fair compensation for his cap hit. Kevin O'Connell: Vikings have 'some real decisions' ahead to get under O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. They want tostart every game, lead their team to the playoffs, win a Super Bowl, [but] a lot goes into what it takes to do that.. There was a mixed reaction to that pick. The Lions traded O'Connell to the New York Jets, for a 7th round 2011 draft pick, on September 6, 2009. I am committed to working tirelessly to bring them a Super Bowl championship.". Vikings Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have a long to-do list O'Connell is the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, so he can't officially become the Vikings' new head coach until after the Super Bowl. 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. Kevin is currently the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and his salary is $84 million for three years. Kevin O'Connell Updates Adam Thielen's Status with Vikings Armando Salguero: Kevin O'Connell Believes Vikings Are Really - OutKick Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. Heck, it was even over 70 degrees outside. 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. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com. The Vikings are coming off a 13-win season, but also a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs. INDIANAPOLIS Following his news conference Wednesday afternoon at the NFL Scouting Combine, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin OConnell met with a small group of beat writers. "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. Pelissero noted that Brown, who interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position, is considered a "rising assistant" and is a candidate to replace O'Connell in Los Angeles. Follow Alec on Twitter @alec_lewis. Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. 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. 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. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. [17] He was released on August 12, 2012. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had a career years in 2021. O'Connell led the Vikings to a 134 record on the season, tying Matt LaFleur and Jim Harbaugh for the second-most wins for a rookie head coach in NFL history. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. [23], On January 16, 2020, O'Connell was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator. [But you] sit in exit meetings with players, and it becomes personal at that point," Adofo-Mensah said. While they can feel reinforced by the results of the foundation laid in their first year, they also know a multitude of decisions await and all teams change from year to year. The 33-year-old quarterback's $35 million base salary for 2022 became guaranteed last March . "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. 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. Its a path that could eventually lead to another extension for Cousins, but the Vikings are doing their diligence to find Mr. The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. On Tuesday, Adofo-Mensah explained that Cousins camp wants certainty if he is to sign a new deal, while the Vikings seek flexibility. I believe in him as a player.. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell's culture is now quantifiable Vikings to hire Kevin O'Connell after being turned down by Jim Harbaugh 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. Thielen joined the Vikings a decade ago as an undrafted special teamer and clawed his way up the depth chart to WR1 by the start of 2016. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. The Patriots gave no explanation for releasing O'Connell, who was in competition with veteran quarterback Andrew Walter, signed after his release from the Oakland Raiders, and undrafted free agent rookie Brian Hoyer of Michigan State. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's media day last week at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. 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. He takes it very seriously how much people and young kids look up to him. The Washington Commanders took Cousins in the []. Thielen notched 716 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2022. With Cousins in his mid-30s, the Vikings need to figure out a succession plan at quarterback. Those are all questions we got to answer. "We have to make sure we do it in an order that we can do it in given all the other decisions we have to make.". 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. 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. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati. However, neither seem like a good option now. One of the last times I spoke with you [after roster reductions to 53], I was up here, and I think someone told me my appearance was a little more dour than it normally is and that was because that was two emotional days of having to tell people no and having to say, 'Your dream is stopped for the day.' Here are five things to know. (OConnell is 6-foot-5, so his frame provides a solid comparison.). Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. 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. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Beyond the Xs and Os, everyone we spoke with throughout this search process spoke highly of Kevin's ability to motivate players, coaches and staff. 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. Sep 9 2010 Resigned a 2 year $1.25 million contract with New York (NYJ) Aug 31 2010 Waived by New York (NYJ) Sep 6 2009 Traded to NYJ from Detroit for a conditional draft pick. Were going to continue to look at whats the best route to go moving forward (with Thielen), OConnell said. McCown also broke the single-game passing record in 2015, throwing for 457 yards against the Baltimore Ravens.
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