Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has quickly established himself as one of the brightest minds in the NFL. In just three seasons, he’s helped guide the Vikings through ups and downs, earning the respect of players and coaches around the league. His leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Minnesota rewarded him with a massive contract extension this offseason, locking him in as the brain of the franchise for years to come.
Despite injuries and roster changes, the Vikings were one of the best teams throughout the 2024 regular season. O’Connell’s ability to keep them in contention while not having the most talented roster is a testament to his coaching ability. But for all the success, he made it clear that he and his team aren’t satisfied just yet.
In a PFSN exclusive interview, O’Connell shared his thoughts on last season, Sam Darnold, the NFC North, and what he’ll be playing close attention to during Super Bowl 59.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on 2024 Season
“I’d just say it was a special team. Special team, special group of players and coaches. We’re really proud of what we’ve done in Minnesota, but we’ve got to do more.
“We’ve got to end it better, and it’s all year over year, just trying to continue to improve and get better.”
For O’Connell, the past season wasn’t just about wins and losses, it was about growth. The Vikings fought through adversity and showed that they have what it takes to compete with some of the top teams in the NFL, but as he made clear, the ultimate goal is to keep progressing and eventually make a deep postseason run.
O’Connell on Sam Darnold
“One of the highlights of my coaching career was just seeing Sam every single day attack it and trusting what we were trying to do as coaches. And he had some great teammates around him, but what a year Sam had. I’m so proud of him.”
Sam Darnold, exceeded all expectations last season and proved there was more to his game than most previously thought. He finished the regular season with a career high in yards (4,319), touchdowns (35), and completions (361). O’Connell’s praise speaks volumes about how much the veteran QB impressed behind the scenes and on the field.
O’Connell on the NFC North: A Brutal Division
“You think about the coaching, it doesn’t get any better. Every team is so competitive, and the play style is tough, physical every single week. We’ve got our work cut out for us every year, and we know that, but we’re going to keep grinding and getting better ourselves.”
With rising teams like the Detroit Lions, a young but talented Green Bay Packers squad, and a Chicago Bears team that has some potential but leaves a lot to be desired, the NFC North has become one of the toughest divisions in football.
O’Connell’s Super Bowl Prediction
“I’ll tell you what. I think it’s going to be a close game, and a close game with Patrick Mahomes… you can figure out the rest from there.”
While he didn’t outright pick the Chiefs, O’Connell made it pretty clear where his confidence lies. Betting against Mahomes in a tight game has rarely worked out well for opponents, and O’Connell knows that better than most.
O’Connell on 1 Key Super Bowl Matchup To Watch
“I always like seeing how people try to defend Travis Kelce. We’ve got Justin Jefferson in Minnesota and it’s always unique, the defenses we see.
“I think in a lot of ways, it’s the same for Travis. The rapport that him and Patrick have together is one of one, and it’s going to be fantastic to watch.”
O’Connell, having coached one of the league’s top receivers in Jefferson, understands the challenges of stopping an elite weapon. Kelce remains Mahomes’ go-to target in big moments, and how the opposing defense handles him could be a deciding factor in the game.