Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts after the game against the New York Jets at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings‘ offseason has officially begun following a disappointing 27-9 loss in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Despite a strong 14-3 regular season, the end of the campaign left a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Now, the Vikings are focusing on the 2025-26 season and looking to extend head coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, both of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
Tension Surrounds Kevin O’Connell’s Contract Talks with the Minnesota Vikings
In Week 18, Fox NFL Insider Jay Glazer surprised everyone by reporting that there might be a trade in the works involving Kevin O’Connell, just ahead of the pivotal game against the Lions.
New reports from Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk reveal that these rumors weren’t just speculation, and there is actual “tension” between O’Connell and the Vikings. With O’Connell heading into the final year of his contract, Florio suggests it’s possible he could play out the season and test the market in free agency.
O’Connell’s impressive track record, including multiple 13-win seasons in just three years, gives him significant leverage in contract negotiations. As the team’s future franchise quarterback, JJ McCarthy, was drafted last year, it seems unlikely O’Connell would leave, but with the NFL’s unpredictability, nothing is certain.
The frustration over not receiving an extension after his second season could be one source of the tension, though typically such extensions are not common this early in a coach’s contract. Another factor could be O’Connell’s desire for more control over roster decisions, something that has also been reported by local insiders.
Florio and Glazer have both suggested that O’Connell could seek more alignment with GM Adofo-Mensah, ensuring he has a bigger say in building a team capable of playoff success.
As the offseason progresses, contract talks surrounding Kevin O’Connell will surely become a key storyline. Could an extension with the Vikings be in the works, or might a trade become a possibility? This is definitely a situation to watch closely.
