The Vikings have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract extension with head coach Kevin O’Connell.
In his three seasons with the team, O’Connell has posted a 34-17 regular season record, becoming the first head coach in franchise history to lead the Vikings to multiple 13-win seasons. He also set the record as the fastest head coach to reach 30 wins, accomplishing the feat in just 46 games.
“Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we hired him—an innovative play caller, an excellent communicator, and a strong leader who connects with and motivates his players,” said Vikings Owner and President Mark Wilf. “He has helped build a culture that sets us up for sustained success, and he will continue to uphold the standard we need as we chase a championship for our fans.”
In his first season, O’Connell guided the Vikings to a 13-4 record and their first NFC North title since 2017, though they lost in the Wild Card round to the New York Giants. In his second season, the team struggled with injuries, finishing 7-10 and missing the playoffs. In 2024, O’Connell led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, the second-most wins in franchise history, but their playoff run ended with a disappointing 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round.
Under O’Connell’s leadership, the Vikings have earned four AP First-Team All-Pro selections, three Second-Team All-Pro selections, and 16 Pro Bowl nods.
“It is a true honor to continue leading the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said. “I never take this position for granted, and I’m deeply grateful to the Wilf family for their unwavering support of our vision. I also want to thank my family for their love and encouragement, and none of this would be possible without the commitment of our coaching staff, players, and support team. I’m eager to continue building on the high standard we’ve set and the positive culture we’ve created.”
O’Connell’s NFL career began as a backup quarterback with the New England Patriots in 2008. He transitioned to coaching, serving as quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2015, then moving to the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 as an offensive assistant. After stints with the Washington Redskins, where he became offensive coordinator in 2019, O’Connell joined the Los Angeles Rams as their offensive coordinator in 2020-2021 before coming to the Vikings.
