Kevin O'Connell has everyone believing as executives view him as favorite to win major award
Nobody expected the Minnesota Vikings to be relevant, let alone playoff-bound or 12-2 during a rebuilding season. As a matter of fact, only the most die-hard of fans had that kind of optimism. Low and behold, that is exactly where the Vikings are at right now with a chance to win the NFC North by […]
Nobody expected the Minnesota Vikings to be relevant, let alone playoff-bound or 12-2 during a rebuilding season. As a matter of fact, only the most die-hard of fans had that kind of optimism.
Low and behold, that is exactly where the Vikings are at right now with a chance to win the NFC North by winning their last three games. The biggest reason for their success?
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell viewed as huge favorite to win Coach of the Year
Having started his head coaching career with a 32-16 record, there hasn't been a more impressive job than what O'Connell has done so far with the 2024 Vikings. He's elevated quarterback Sam Darnold from a journeyman backup to a viable franchise quarterback in just a few short months and taken a team with a preseason win total of 6.5 games to controlling their own destiny to win the NFC North.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reached out to 27 executives to vote for the major awards across the league and O'Connell was the runaway winner.
It was a landslide win for O’Connell, who received 16.5 votes — 13.5 more than any other candidate. He has the Vikings in position to win the NFC North and potentially secure the No. 1 seed with a castoff quarterback, Sam Darnold, playing the best football of his life on a one-year contract. Only the Packers have led for more total game time this season than the Vikings, who also have seven comeback wins and seven one-possession wins. Few teams are as well-trained at situational football. O’Connell has built a culture that players want to be part of.
The executives got it right, as the job O'Connell's done has been both exemplary and exceeded both realistic and crazy high expectations. The Vikings were supposed to be doing this in either 2025 or 2026 but doing so with nearly $70 million in dead salary cap space is remarkable.
When you hear O'Connell get the award the week he also leads the Vikings to their first-ever Vince Lombardi Trophy, don't be shocked. He deserves it.
Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard gives legendary postgame comment that will never be forgotten
You couldn’t ask for anything better
