‘That made a big impression on me’ — Daniel Jones praises his time with Kevin O’Connell after tremendous start with Colts

Kevin O’Connell continues to be viewed as a quarterback whisperer

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been credited with “unofficially” creating the quarterback rehab center.

Every veteran quarterback that has played for the Vikings has grown and gotten better under O’Connell’s tutelage, including Sam Darnold’s breakout year last season, when he became a Pro Bowler and is now balling out with the Seattle Seahawks.

The other addition to the room last year was Daniel Jones. He joined the Vikings right before Thanksgiving and will give them a high compensatory selection.

Daniel Jones credits Kevin O’Connell for helping him ahead of his fast start with Colts

Darnold isn’t the only former Vikings quarterback thriving. Jones is having a phenomenal year with the Colts, leading them to a 4-1 start. The offense is explosive and efficient through the air and on the ground.

Jones talked to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth on the “Fitz and Whit” podcast and spoke highly about his time in Minnesota.

“I always thought I worked really hard. I tried to work really hard. And was important to me to prepare, watch film study. And I think I did that,” said Jones. “But then going to Minnesota, I saw how Sam [Darnold] prepared, how Kevin [O’Connell] prepared, those guys, Josh McCown, Grant Udinski. How detailed they were day to day in and day out, on every little bit of the plan and how they’re going to study it, what they’re looking for, walking through it, quizzing each other in the quarterback room. And that made a big impression on me.

“I was like, okay, this may be the next level of some of that stuff. And I think that changed. I think how Kevin’s aggressive in play calling. I mean, you guys see it. It’s play fast, but it’s a lot of drop back shots, taking their chances. And that made an impression on me, too. I think several things like that, and just being around those guys.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard great things about the Vikings’ quarterback room. O’Connell has done a tremendous job in getting his quarterbacks ready to go, and that’s carried over to the new teams for Darnold and Jones.

This is what we’ve seen over the first four years of O’Connell’s tenure in Minnesota, and it’s continued to be a major success.

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