Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. Is it to that line?' And none of the endings feature everyone who was around last year. "I feel like that foundation's in place. [27][28] O'Connell's Vikings hiring reunited him with quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom O'Connell had coached in 2017 (Cousins' final year with the Washington Redskins). He had been placed on the injured reserve list. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. He noted that hes always going to evaluate all the quarterbacks out of habit and that he finds himself often looking at evaluations from years past, even when someone is coming available who came out in the draft a long time ago. If Levis or Richardson is the type of quarterback that answers those questions, the Vikings will likely do their best to move up. Here are five takeaways from the conversation, beginning with OConnells thoughts on the free-agent decisions and potential cuts that will be made in the next couple of weeks. To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". Anchored by T Andrew Whitworth, the oldest offensive lineman in the NFL, the Rams offensive line only allowed 56 sacks in the two years O'Connell was in Los Angeles, which was good for the seventh-fewest among NFL clubs. 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. O'Connell was asked today if Donatell will be back and didn't . And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. Meetings with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski have helped OConnell in this regard. The Minnesota Vikings have made the hiring of Kevin O'Connell as their new head coach official by sharing the news on social media. "He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. But the. However, neither seem like a good option now. But its hard not to wonder what would have happened if he looked ahead, saw Andrew Luck on the horizon and just rode the corpse of Donovan McNabb to the finish line to select Luck, Russell Wilson, or Cousins (!!!) The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielens fate in 2023. 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. Adofo-Mensah, who previously worked on Wall Street, was asked to assess where the Vikings stock is. He believes he's the best receiver in football -- I happen to agree with him -- and a lot goes with that. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, some two weeks after reaching an agreement with the club to replace Mike Zimmer, can finally wear some purple. Following his All-Pro wideout's 1,809-yard, 128-catch, eight-touchdown campaign, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell believes Jefferson can soar even higher. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati. "Reflecting on what we were able to accomplish as a football team an NFC North title and 13 wins it goes beyond that. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. [17] He was released on August 12, 2012. "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. The Vikings left the Zimmer-Spielman era in desperate need of improved morale. But after a year on the bench, Culpepper took the Vikings into the next decade before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in 2005. 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. Weve got some real decisions to talk through and things to work through, OConnell said. The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. 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?. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. 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. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings plan on interviewing Rams assistant head coach/running backs coach Thomas Brown for their offensive coordinator position under O'Connell. He made his NFL debut on September 21, 2008, in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, throwing his first four career passes and completing three. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. 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. He also held the same position for Washington in 2019 after serving as the team'spassing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Despite entering the league three years after Stafford, Cousins is also going into his age-34 season. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Use of any marks, trademarks, or logos on this website shall not constitute a sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder. While OConnell answered gracefully about his colleague, it was a reminder that they didnt finish the year with a deep playoff run. Kevin O'Connell Updates Adam Thielen's Status with Vikings Since the start of 2019, Thielen ranks fifth in the NFL in touchdown receptions (36), trailing only Davante Adams (48), Mike Evans (41), Tyreek Hill (38), and Travis Kelce (37). The victories and records set on the way to winning the NFC North for the first time since 2017 enabled Minnesota to host a playoff game for the first time in five years, but that excitement ended abruptly Sunday when the Giants topped the Vikings 31-24. What I was really impressed with Justin this year was the leadership, the next step. It's supposed to hurt. "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. pic.twitter.com/WKHqPZU8ea, Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 1, 2023. 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. The Minnesota Vikings have committed to quarterback Kirk Cousins for the next two seasons, banking on further improvement under new head coach Kevin O'Connell. Minnesotas approach to their franchise quarterback seems much more scientific. [21] In 2019, under interim head coach Bill Callahan, O'Connell was promoted to offensive coordinator. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. With their limited salary cap . The Vikings tried to identify another quarterback when trading up for Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. $36.25 million against its salary . Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. But Adofo-Mensah gave his own review about his starting quarterback. The third strategy is the one the Vikings currently employ, and it may be the option with the least room for error. O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los A. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. . 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. . 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. Theres a lot of different directions you can go, OConnell said, and (each decision) affects another one and another one. 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. [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). I know this guy next to me and myself will lead and push and drive, because we don't want to feel this way, this early, ever again. Along the way, personal relationships grew. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. 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. The Carlsbad, California, native and his wife, Leah, have two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and a daughter, Quinn. Already Subscribed? ", "Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes," said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM. 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. [23], On January 16, 2020, O'Connell was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator. [2] At La Costa Canyon, O'Connell lettered in both football and basketball. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. That, more than anything, is what OConnell wants to eliminate. So how will he balance the desire to maximize the benefits of the culture, keep the players who helped him implement it and improve on last season while dealing with the facts of life in a salary cap league? Thats the byproduct of trying to do things the way we do. ", O'Connell said the next step is "a championship standard" and that he wanted to wrap his evaluations and dialogue about the 2022 season the "way it should, with the same type of connection" with players and the "foundational building blocks of what we want to be. 3. 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. . The personnel department continued to be on the lookout for players who became available after their release by other teams, and the coaching staff usually helped integrate the acquired player quickly, whether it was Za'Darius Smith in Week 1 or T.J. Hockenson in Week 9. Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Right comes along. There are times when hes mad and when Im mad. [12] Following his departure, O'Connell found that he had a torn labrum in his throwing arm, an injury he sustained during the preseason. I believe in him as a player.. His team won 13 games and the NFLPA just said his teams culture was the best in the league. 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. He isnt on the same tier as Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, but is good enough to hold down the position until they can find that player. 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 with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. "But I wouldn't say that we're that established, 'there' team because we haven't shown it yet.