The Vikings officially. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. The numbers bear out OConnells observation. converting part of right tackle Brian O'Neill's base salary to a signing bonus. Kevin O'Connell, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator, was introduced as the Minnesota Vikings next head coach on Thursday, and the big takeaway from . "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.
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. His net worth is somewhere between $30 million to $35 million. Adofo-Mensah had to explain how the Vikings, a team in salary cap hell, were going to shed salary while building off the team's first 13-win season since 2017. .
Vikings finalize hire of champion Rams OC Kevin O'Connell The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back.
Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings Kevin O'Connell Updates Adam Thielen's Status with Vikings Rams OC Kevin O'Connell Finalizes Contract to Become Vikings Head Coach $36.25 million against its salary . 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.
Sources: O'Connell finalizing contract with Vikings - KUSA.com Culpeppers injury took the Vikings into another dark period where they took a quarterback because they needed one. He's McVay's second coordinator in two years to move on, joiningformer Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who is now head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Wide receiver Adam Thielens cap number and age (32) present another complicated decision, and OConnell is mindful of the many factors. Prior to joining the Rams, O'Connell worked in Washington, serving as the quarterbacks coach in 2017-18 and the offensive coordinator in 2019. Weve got some real decisions to talk through and things to work through, OConnell said. And just in all of our dialogue Monday with our players, getting a chance to meet with each and every one of them, they understand that, and they're motivated for that.
Kevin William O'Connell Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net worth O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on September 4, 2011.[16]. Understanding the goals of culture and the goals of building up through our leadership and setting a foundation and platform for every individual in this building to feel like they can thrive and grow and eventually reach their truest, highest potential. Is it to that line?' 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. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Conversely, when the Vikings ran for zero or negative yards on first down, something they did more than any other team in the league aside from the Jaguars, they would then be fighting uphill. A lot of guys come in here and say they want to start in the NFL on Day 1. "One of my favorite players I've ever coached, I've told him that," O'Connell said of Jefferson. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA TODAY Sports). You do hope it was a perfect world where you can have everybody and have everybody finish their careers where they should and feel great about it, but its just so hard to do and still build for the future the way the rules are set up, OConnell said. He said it's between a startup and one with an ability to earn, adding "in our business, earning is wins. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. . 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 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). O'Connell won his first game as head coach against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season by a score of 237. And I also want my opportunity to show that I can play at a high level. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. The 34-year-old has put up good statistics over the years, including 33 TDs and seven interceptions last season, but he's never delivered any sustained postseason success. On third-and-8, for example, the Vikings personnel options were limited. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience.
Kevin O'Connell believes Vikings are really good and have an 'elite' QB The Washington Commanders took Cousins in the []. OConnell respects the way Patrick Peterson, soon to be an unrestricted free agent, set a standard for young contributors in the secondary. In addition to impacting the culture within the building through an emphasis on building connectivity across the roster, the Vikings installed O'Connell's offense with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, a defensive system led by Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell and changed their special teams under first-year coordinator Matt Daniels. The last remaining head coach opening in the NFL has been filled. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. I dont know. Minnesota Vikings new head coach Kevin O'Connell takes over a club that missed the postseason the past two seasons with losing records and hasn't won the NFC North since 2017. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Furthermore, the Rams' 1,186 passing yards in the 2021 playoffs were the most in NFL history,surpassing the 2011 New York Giants (1,144).O'Connell helped Kupp (478) and Beckham, Jr., (288) post a combined 766 receiving yards in the playoffs, the most be any wide receiver duo this postseason. McCown also broke the single-game passing record in 2015, throwing for 457 yards against the Baltimore Ravens. [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.
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell's culture is now quantifiable I think the priority first and foremost is giving him time to evaluate our roster with our young players and some of our veteran players and see how pieces may fit, OConnell said. In basketball, he was a two-year letterman, and a teammate of Arizona standout Chase Budinger. 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 that's where we want to go eventually," Adofo-Mensah continued. Is it to that standard? We laugh. When Favre finally declined, the Vikings were in another spot of desperation to draft a quarterback in 2011. 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. Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Top 10 Justin Jefferson plays | 2022 season, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah compares team building through draft vs. through free agency, trades. If not, they have the luxury of having Cousins to buy more time. Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. Some would take this as a sign the Vikings are ready to move on. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. 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. OConnell knows safety Harrison Smith has done much of the same. That was somebody that was as important as anybody for me to bring to this organization I didnt know there was going to be a survey, it didnt matter to me, but I knew what that would look like with Tyler, Kwesi and myself and how we build things.. OConnell explained Wednesday that that process ranged from reviewing game-management decisions to gauging his teams success in various schemes and plays. At first, Adofo-Mensah makes it sound like Cousins is the NFLs version of microwaving Chinese leftovers at midnight. The 33-year-old quarterback's $35 million base salary for 2022 became guaranteed last March . However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. So, ultimately, we didn't accomplish the goals we wanted to accomplish, and I always want to be respectful of that. On Tuesday, Adofo-Mensah explained that Cousins camp wants certainty if he is to sign a new deal, while the Vikings seek flexibility. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los A. pic.twitter.com/WKHqPZU8ea, Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 1, 2023. We always have to be evaluating, OConnell said. O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. He called conversations ongoing about Cousinss future. Kevin is currently the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and his salary is $84 million for three years. 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. 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. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, ZaDarius Smith and others. Eagan, Minn. (February 15, 2022) - The Minnesota Vikings have named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history. 5. 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. Will that happen? [How do you] round him to make sure that you can win that way? [20], On January 20, 2017, O'Connell was hired as the Washington Redskins' quarterbacks coach, working under head coach Jay Gruden. Those are all questions we got to answer. 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.. [13] The injury required surgery. He had been placed on the injured reserve list. "When you involve people, it can make the job a lot tougher, but I also think the people aspect is what culture is and that's important," Adofo-Mensah added. Before the Super Bowl, Thielen said onESPNsFirst Take, I want to retire a Viking. 1. That ultimately led the Vikings to Cousins. 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. So have expectations going forward, until "someday" can become "the day.". Maybe its not even for any one particular year.. Senior Editor. "I greatly appreciate the Wilf family, Kwesi and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization for providing the opportunity to be their next head coach," said O'Connell.
Who is Leah O'Connell, Wife of the Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O - Page 5 . One thing I know, [Cousins] is good enough. Minnesotas approach to their franchise quarterback seems much more scientific. 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. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history. 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. "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.". The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have only held their posts for a year, but they deserve the faith of the Vikings community. He was 11-of-21 for 147 yards, and completed the pass which resulted in the Kai's only score of the game.[6]. The Vikings are coming off a 13-win season, but also a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs. That OConnell even cited this statistic demonstrates the team is thinking about how to fully maximize its offense. KSTPs Darren Wolfson reported that the Vikings met with Florida manI meanquarterback Anthony Richardson at the scouting combine and OConnell is keen on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis despite his Orlovskian food takes. Predictability, then, provides comfort to defenses. in the 2012 draft. And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. 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. 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. 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. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. "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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He takes it very seriously how much people and young kids look up to him. 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. 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?. 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. Adofo-Mensah was hired on Jan. 26, 2022 and O'Connell was named head coach on Feb. 16 after the Rams beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl. The offensive coordinator from the 2022 Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Kevin O'Connell, is finalizing his head coaching contract with the Minnesota Vikings. 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. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Jul 21 2008 Signed a 4 year $2.46 million contract with New England (NE) He also writes for Bring Me The News and The Viking Age and hosts The Homer Horn Podcast. What he means to our league, how he carries himself, how he works every day. OConnell continued, Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of. However, neither seem like a good option now.
Vikings officially hire Rams OC Kevin O'Connell as new head coach - NFL.com His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. 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. 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. Despite entering the league three years after Stafford, Cousins is also going into his age-34 season. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. So, well see what happens.. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. 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. But even if they do like mayo in their coffee, it seems like OConnell is bringing a thorough evaluation process to find their guy. How do you go forward building it from here? Here are five things to know. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielens fate in 2023. 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. 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. Having been on the visitors' sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium and experiencing that environment as an opposing coach, I am excited to now have the support of these passionate Vikings fans. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and his wife Leah welcomed their fourth child to the family on Friday night, . Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. 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. 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. Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. . My main goal was just to connect with him and build on a relationship that I thought was strong already. Therefore, with free agency 11 days away, the Vikings and Thielen are firmly in the see what happens phase of the offseason, described by Thielen.
O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. He is a genuinely positive person who will help create a high-energy internal environment.". If Levis or Richardson is the type of quarterback that answers those questions, the Vikings will likely do their best to move up. "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.". "That's what led to a historic number of one-score games and so that's probably been the hardest job is adjusting to those things. But Kevin O'Connell's comments later in the week made it sound like something bigger was in the works. He was also born in Minnesota. If OConnells staff likes a prospect like USCs Caleb Williams or North Carolinas Drake Maye, they may be better served to wait especially with an aging team that will face a harder schedule in 2023.