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They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. The 34-year-old has put up good statistics over the years, including 33 TDs and seven interceptions last season, but he's never delivered any sustained postseason success. $36.25 million against its salary . O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on September 4, 2011.[16]. Senior Editor. In the early 1990s, Dennis Green used a revolving quarterback carousel that featured Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Jeff George. None of that is to say OConnell is not evaluating quarterbacks in this years draft. O'Connell and the Rams are coming off a victory in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. 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. The Vikings announced their agreement in principle with Cousins on a one-year contract extension Sunday the latest high-leverage deal that Cousins has successfully bet on himself with and the clearest sign yet that the Vikings aren . During the 2009 preseason, O'Connell was claimed by the Detroit Lions and was then later traded to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick. Right. "He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. We haven't shown our ability to come in year-in, year-out and do those things. At the 2008 NFL Combine, O'Connell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds; only University of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson had a faster time. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". Alec Lewis is a staff writer covering the Minnesota Vikings for The Athletic. ", "We've shown that we have a culture and an ability to do those things at a really high level," Adofo-Mensah said. 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. What I was really impressed with Justin this year was the leadership, the next step. Thats the byproduct of trying to do things the way we do. In other words, hes going to look in the store window at this years draft class because he always does, whether he is shopping or not. . Conversely, when the Vikings ran for zero or negative yards on first down, something they did more than any other team in the league aside from the Jaguars, they would then be fighting uphill. [20], On January 20, 2017, O'Connell was hired as the Washington Redskins' quarterbacks coach, working under head coach Jay Gruden. Following his All-Pro wideout's 1,809-yard, 128-catch, eight-touchdown campaign, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell believes Justin Jefferson can soar even higher. . In football, as a junior, he passed for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. [29]. O'Connell, 36, was a third-round pick . 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. OConnell is well aware. One of the last times I spoke with you [after roster reductions to 53], I was up here, and I think someone told me my appearance was a little more dour than it normally is and that was because that was two emotional days of having to tell people no and having to say, 'Your dream is stopped for the day.' But the biggest question on everybodys mind was what they were going to do with Kirk Cousins. (OConnell is 6-foot-5, so his frame provides a solid comparison.). "We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. If I demand our team to improve in certain areas, OConnell said, Ive got to do the things we need to do as a staff.. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had career years in 2021. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. [4][5] At SDSU, where he was a four-year team captain, he started 21 games, the sixth-most among SDSU quarterbacks, and ranked first in school history in career rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks; in 2007 he led the team in rushing yards. The coach has made it a priority to educate himself on the particulars of the teams cap constraints. O'Connell was asked today if Donatell will be back and didn't . Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. This organization saw a shift in how it was being defended from previous years to this year, OConnell said. He and Adofo-Mensah greet each prospect when they enter the room both to establish their culture of care and provide other Vikings staffers in the room a glimpse at the players size. "We have to make sure we do it in an order that we can do it in given all the other decisions we have to make.". The Vikings won the NFC North for the first time since 2017, which was good enough for the NFC's third seed, but were defeated by the New York Giants in the Wild Card round by a final score of 3124. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. O'Connell also played for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and San Diego Chargers before retiring in 2012. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com. That OConnell even cited this statistic demonstrates the team is thinking about how to fully maximize its offense. Predictability, then, provides comfort to defenses. I think theres a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities.. Will that happen? NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. While some coaches chose not to attend this years combine, OConnell places considerable value on meeting players in person. 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. The wait is over for Minnesota Vikings fans who were a bit . What he means to our league, how he carries himself, how he works every day. Asked about the Vikings long-term future at that position, OConnell said he surveys the landscape of the position each year out of habit. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. This time of year tends to be a difficult time when youre talking about players futures and how they affect the greater picture of our team, and those conversations are ongoing, he said. At the same time, proud of what they've accomplished this year and look forward to the first day of the offseason program, when we get those guys back in here.". But even if he didnt injure his knee at Winter Park, its fair to wonder if he would have ever become the long-term franchise quarterback. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back. Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. O'Connell won his first game as head coach against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season by a score of 237. We're still feeling that here, but I will say that hurt, that sting, that will drive us. The rushing attack. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history. Is there a chance to add somebody maybe with different skill sets? O'Connell also helped the Rams offense tie for seventh in scoring offense (27.1 points per game) and score on 45.9% of their offensive drives, which ranked third in the NFL behind the Kansas City Chiefs (48.2) and New England Patriots (48.0). in the 2012 draft. The New England Patriots selected O'Connell with their fourth pick (94th overall) in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Not only schematically, how people play against you, but the responsibility he has as a role model. "Like [O'Connell] said in his final meeting, 'It's supposed to hurt. Ive been very honest about that. With Cousins in his mid-30s, the Vikings need to figure out a succession plan at quarterback. 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. The riser was lower than the previous stage, but the team they've led for about a year has been elevated from an 8-9 squad to one that won 13 games for the third time within a Vikings season. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. On August 31, 2010, New York released O'Connell. Aug 30 2009 Released by New England. Craig Peters. 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. Vikings fans should be excited for the future of this team under Kevin's direction. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't saying if Ed Donatell will return as defensive coordinator for the 2023 season. [13] The injury required surgery. In the meantime, quarterbacks such as Heath Shuler, Trent Dilfer, and Jim Druckenmiller went off the board until Green finally saw a quarterback he liked in the 1999 draft, Daunte Culpepper. He grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and has written for Yahoo, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Kansas City Star, among many other places. In addition to impacting the culture within the building through an emphasis on building connectivity across the roster, the Vikings installed O'Connell's offense with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, a defensive system led by Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell and changed their special teams under first-year coordinator Matt Daniels. Kevin William O'Connell, nicknamed "KOC", is an American former player and a football coach who is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. While they can feel reinforced by the results of the foundation laid in their first year, they also know a multitude of decisions await and all teams change from year to year. "I greatly appreciate the Wilf family, Kwesi and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization for providing the opportunity to be their next head coach," said O'Connell. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. If not, they have the luxury of having Cousins to buy more time. 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. ", "I don't want to be the Vikings GM without this guy on our team, so it's a priority," Adofo-Mensah said. ", "Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes," said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. "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. O'Connell, 36, was a member of the 49ers coaching staff (special projects) in 2016 and overlapped that season with new Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Along the way, personal relationships grew. His team won 13 games and the NFLPA just said his teams culture was the best in the league. Player development at every position is very, very important, OConnell said. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielen's fate in 2023. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Hes the epitome of a hometown hero, universally loved, and the type of player who should retire with the Vikings. converting part of right tackle Brian O'Neill's base salary to a signing bonus. O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. Were going to continue to look at whats the best route to go moving forward (with Thielen), OConnell said. 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. His net worth is somewhere between $30 million to $35 million. As a player, O'Connell was drafted in the third round (94th pick) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of San Diego State. Already Subscribed? "Very thankful for him in Year 1 and really looking forward to seeing him growing both as a leader and continued dominance at the receiver position.". The offensive coordinator from the 2022 Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Kevin O'Connell, is finalizing his head coaching contract with the Minnesota Vikings. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. But the. 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. One of those decisions involves quarterback Kirk Cousins. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. The Vikings have not gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2008-09. O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. 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. Florida's Anthony Richardson, one of the draft's most intriguing QB prospects, told reporters on Friday that in high school he modeled his game after two notable passers: Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. The Vikings were unable to officially announce that they were hiring O'Connell until after Los Angeles' playoff run came to an end. 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. O'Connell and the Rams are coming. If not, they could ride Cousins another year and try their luck to acquire their guy in 2024. pic.twitter.com/WKHqPZU8ea, Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 1, 2023. And its even stronger now, OConnell said. He believes he's the best receiver in football -- I happen to agree with him -- and a lot goes with that. Adofo-Mensah had to explain how the Vikings, a team in salary cap hell, were going to shed salary while building off the teams first 13-win season since 2017. Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. 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. OConnell respects the way Patrick Peterson, soon to be an unrestricted free agent, set a standard for young contributors in the secondary. It comes down to efficiency, he said. View photos of new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in photos from his time with the Rams. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos, and The Doors (the band). The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. . Spielman hand-picked Ponder to be his quarterback after watching a game against North Carolina and a couple of practices at the Senior Bowl. 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. Sometimes how you have to mold and adapt how you play while still staying true to your football philosophy at its core and its not always easy to do, but hes demonstrated that hes been very successful doing it time and time again.. "I feel like that foundation's in place. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM. The Vikings officially. But in between 16-point wins against the Packers in Week 1 and Bears in Week 18 were plentiful memorable moments during a wild ride. As he reviewed the way defenses matched up against his team, OConnell noticed a trend. The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year winner, Jefferson dominated opponents, generating 10 games over the 100-yard mark in O'Connell's first season in Minnesota. "One of my favorite players I've ever coached, I've told him that," O'Connell said of Jefferson. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. 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. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell fielded questions from the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. However, neither seem like a good option now. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. Culpeppers injury took the Vikings into another dark period where they took a quarterback because they needed one. 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. The Lions traded O'Connell to the New York Jets, for a 7th round 2011 draft pick, on September 6, 2009. Adofo-Mensah also stated that there are a lot of other factors to consider what type of quarterback the Vikings could be looking for. [But you] sit in exit meetings with players, and it becomes personal at that point," Adofo-Mensah said. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had a career years in 2021. 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. My main goal was to connect with (Cousins) and build on a relationship, OConnell said. That, more than anything, is what OConnell wants to eliminate. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whose size has been a matter of conjecture in the run-up to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, officially measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds on Saturday. He spent his childhood in Carlsbad, California, where he attended La Costa Canyon High School. Part of the reason for this is that the Vikings were still recovering from the Herschel Walker trade. Maybe its not even for any one particular year.. But after a year on the bench, Culpepper took the Vikings into the next decade before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in 2005. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. The home runs and long ones are great, but as a play caller, Id love to be second-and-5. Right comes along. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past two seasons.