He also writes for Bring Me The News and The Viking Age and hosts The Homer Horn Podcast. None of that is to say OConnell is not evaluating quarterbacks in this years draft. Vikings' offseason roster decisions will be difficult, but team leaders They worked with players they inherited, quickly assessing who was set to return and how to try to add pieces they deemed missing through a strategic approach to free agency and proceeding through the 2022 NFL Draft. Kevin William O'Connell Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net worth Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, and NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that he would not anticipate the type of one-year, fully-guaranteed extensions that the 35-year-old has signed in the past. 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 Vikings Will Benefit From Their Revamped Team Culture, Theres One Ideal Way To Deal With Danielle Hunters Contract. . 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. My main goal was to connect with (Cousins) and build on a relationship, OConnell said. Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell 'excited to coach' Kirk Cousins in To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". Kevin O'Connell: Vikings have 'some real decisions' ahead to get under While some coaches chose not to attend this years combine, OConnell places considerable value on meeting players in person. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Facebook Twitter The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. "But as we reflect, I think it's important to understand, be honest with our evaluations, understand taking a look at all the little things no detail is too small in how we're trying to improve as a team, improve as a coaching staff, and most importantly, improve myself. The New England Patriots selected O'Connell with their fourth pick (94th overall) in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. We haven't shown our ability to come in year-in, year-out and do those things. 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. [23], On January 16, 2020, O'Connell was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator. O'Connell coached QB Kirk Cousins in 2017, helping him throw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, and record a career-high 342 rushing yards and a league-leading four game-winning drives. But after a year on the bench, Culpepper took the Vikings into the next decade before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in 2005. Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II is the early leader for fastest player at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Friday. Kevin will tease me about that sometimes. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. This website is not directly or indirectly affiliated, associated, or connected in any way to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or the National Hockey League. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he is "excited to coach" quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2022 and is "anticipating" him being a part of the team's plans. He was 11-of-21 for 147 yards, and completed the pass which resulted in the Kai's only score of the game.[6]. 1. Maybe its not even for any one particular year.. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) in 2021, 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. Part of their jobs during the comprehensive evaluation process will be setting aside those personal relationships and not letting them interfere with the process of building the 2023 Vikings to have the best chance at a championship and be within the constraints of the NFL's salary cap. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. 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.. But Minnesota watched as Cam Newton, Jake Locker, and Blaine Gabbert flew off the board. A necessary condition is having a starter-level quarterback, Adofo-Mensah began. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Theres a lot of different directions you can go, OConnell said, and (each decision) affects another one and another one. "I came from a business where your job is to not be emotional and if you make emotional decisions, you typically make bad decisions. His net worth is somewhere between $30 million to $35 million. OConnell did note that safety Lewis Cine was ahead of schedule in his rehab from a severe leg injury suffered in London last season and that Cine has been at TCO Performance Center making regular stop-ins to his office. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. Kevin O'Connell traveling with Vikings to Washington after his daughter 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.. Vikings to hire Kevin O'Connell after being turned down by Jim Harbaugh This is also a business. But Kevin O'Connell's comments later in the week made it sound like something bigger was in the works. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. 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. There are some hard conversations sometimes. Stafford set the single-season team record for passing yards (4,886) and tied Kurt Warner from his 1999 MVP season for the most passing touchdowns in a season by a Rams quarterback with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. One element of his teams play that must improve? 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. The idea. 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. Browse our online application for MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, or MLS player contracts, salaries, transactions, and more. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on September 4, 2011.[16]. "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. [14] He was later released again on July 29, 2011.[15]. 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. Sometimes how you have to reinvent yourself week in and week out, OConnell said. 3. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in Photos, Kevin OConnell Brings Energy, Innovation as Vikings New Head Coach, 5 Things to Know About New Vikings Head Coach Kevin OConnell. Since O'Connell became an offensive coordinator in 2019, he has coached one Super Bowl MVP (Kupp), two Pro Bowlers (G Brandon Scherff and Kupp), one All-Pro (Kupp) and one PFWA All-Rookie Team member (McLaurin). Players cited the tight-knit nature of the locker room and their confidence during late-game situations as a result of the buildings updated vibes under OConnell. 5 Things to Know About Head Coach Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. The Vikings head coach compared all of the moving parts to puzzle pieces but its more like a choose-your-own-adventure book because each choice with Player X impacts Player Y and the combination of all of the decisions takes you to a different endpoint. There are a few fundamental things that will influence decisions, starting with whether Cousins signs an extension. . We want to be.". It's supposed to sting.' Rams OC Kevin O'Connell Finalizes Contract to Become Vikings Head Coach Kupp, who was named 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press and Super Bowl LVI MVP, 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. Similarly to his GM one day earlier, the Vikings head coach couldnt make a strong statement about what the future would hold at QB. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. I just watch the way he carries himself every single day and week. O'Connell rushed for a touchdown in the 2008 preseason against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter, in a game the Patriots eventually lost 1914. ". 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. Vikings head coach Kevin OConnell provided a bit of clarity on Thielens status at the NFL Combine this week, touting the veterans leadership while hoping to mesh his pricetag with the fit in Minnesotas 2023 WR room. [2], O'Connell played in both the 2008 Hula Bowl and the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. Kevin O'Connell Offensive Scheme Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Kevin O'Connell has been chosen to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings officially after the Super Bowl on February 13, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. OConnell respects the way Patrick Peterson, soon to be an unrestricted free agent, set a standard for young contributors in the secondary. The Wilfs and the resources they give us to bring in the people, like [exectuive director of player health and performance] Tyler Williams, OConnell said. 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. Is it to that standard? With Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan and Cameron Heyward still on the board, the Vikings decided to get their guy Christian Ponder. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back. OConnell said he values the way the aforementioned players embraced his hiring last year and appreciates the way they helped bring about an entirely new culture. 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. The Vikings were unable to officially announce that they were hiring O'Connell until after Los Angeles' playoff run came to an end. Those are all questions we got to answer. 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. There was a mixed reaction to that pick. Right. Aside from the quarterback situation which is like talking about building a house and saying other than the ground it stands on the Vikings will also consider the wants/needs/system of Brian Flores as they look for improvement on defense. 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. O'Connell oversaw the production of three quarterbacks in 2019, specifically rookie QB Dwayne Haskins, Jr. Once Haskins, Jr., became the full-time starter in Week 9, he passed for 1,225 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions and an 85.5 passer rating. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. OConnell is well aware. Despite entering the league three years after Stafford, Cousins is also going into his age-34 season. 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. [24] In O'Connell's second season with the Rams, their offense ranked 2nd best in receiving touchdowns (41), 5th highest in total yards (4,893), 8th best in total touchdowns (63), and the team won Super Bowl LVI (defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 2320). [29]. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos, and The Doors (the band). He believes he's the best receiver in football -- I happen to agree with him -- and a lot goes with that. 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. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's media day last week at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Finding a suitable compromise appears to be the current strategy. The coach has made it a priority to educate himself on the particulars of the teams cap constraints. converting part of right tackle Brian O'Neill's base salary to a signing bonus. An NFLPA survey showed the Vikings as the best team for players in the league, bringing evidence that the changes they promised worked out, gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, ZaDarius Smith and others. 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. The Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing decision on Adam Thielens future with the franchise, a team that has employed him since 2013. On third-and-8, for example, the Vikings personnel options were limited. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. O'Connell, 36, was a third-round pick . In the early 1990s, Dennis Green used a revolving quarterback carousel that featured Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Jeff George. O'Connell was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft and played quarterback at San Diego State University. OConnell, though, sounded committed to making it work. . But the. 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 . 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. Its even stronger now. [How do you] round him to make sure that you can win that way? Harrison Smith stats (2021): 73% completion % allowed, 98.7 QB rating allowed Already a projected $14 million over the 2022 NFL salary cap, the Vikings need to clear a ton of room. Kevin O'Connell Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries OConnell knows safety Harrison Smith has done much of the same. View photos of new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in photos from his time with the Rams. When Favre finally declined, the Vikings were in another spot of desperation to draft a quarterback in 2011. Since then, there have been postseason appearances after the 2012 (loss in Wild Card), 2015 (loss in Wild Card), 2017 (loss in NFC Championship), 2019 (loss in Divisional) and 2022 (loss in Wild Card) seasons. When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strongly about that group, and I still think that theres places to go where we can build upon it even more, OConnell mentioned about Justin Jefferson and his wide receiving corps. Theres a reason I feel so strongly about Kirk. The Washington Commanders took Cousins in the []. He had been placed on the injured reserve list. My main goal was just to connect with him and build on a relationship that I thought was strong already. If they want a quarterback in this draft, they seem willing to find a way to get them.