Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell is on a historic pace in Minnesota with potential to match an NFL record
There have been way too many discussions about firing Kevin O’Connell, especially when he’s doing this.
The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 heading into their bye week after a 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, and it was a massive win for a multitude of reasons.
Within the win, the Vikings finally unlocked quarterback Kyler Murray. It was an inconsistent struggle over the first few games, and it was to be excpected. Murray has never played in an offense like head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s, plus the latter has never called plays for someone with his movement skills.
The ability to win with multiple quarterbacks has been a calling card for O’Connell, and it’s resonated in a big way during his tenure.
Kevin O’Connell is approaching an NFL record
Having started nine quarterbacks since taking over as the Vikings head coach is a very impressive aspect of his tenure. It’s also led the Vikings to five-game winning streaks in each of his first five seasons. It’s only the second time a head coach has done that, with the first being Georg Seifert, and he took over a Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers team.
It’s crazy to think about, but O’Connell really has won five consecutive games in each season as the head coach. What’s really impressive about that number is how he’s accomplished it. Each season has provided a different type of winning streak. In 2023, O’Connell had to clinch the winnning streak with Josh Dobbs taking over at quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons after being in the building for less than a week. Last season, he did so to finish the season, with half of those games coming with the Vikings having been eliminated from the playoffs.
This season, it’s been more of the same. Murray suffered a concussion 11 plays into the season, forcing Carson Wentz to play two games, including one with bad weather. Then one of Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison essentially missed the last three starts Murray made.
Not only has O’Connell had a five-game winning streak each season, he’s also had winning streaks of seven, nine, and 10 games. It’s remarkable how well he’s done during his tenure with all the of the tials and tribulations that have gone on.
O’Connell is one of the best head coaches in the NFL, and nobody is talking about it.
