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. My main goal was to connect with (Cousins) and build on a relationship, OConnell said. 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. The wait is over for Minnesota Vikings fans who were a bit . Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the futures of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. O'Connell and the Rams are coming. We always have to be evaluating, OConnell said. 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. "As crazy as this sounds, leading the league in yards and receptions, I think he and I have just scratched the surface of where we want to go as an offense, particularly with him as our premier receiver," O'Connell said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. He believes he's the best receiver in football -- I happen to agree with him -- and a lot goes with that. That ultimately led the Vikings to Cousins. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. He was 11-of-21 for 147 yards, and completed the pass which resulted in the Kai's only score of the game.[6]. Thats because talking about culture is a good way to spend time talking about anything else other than upcoming decisions, draft philosophies, scheme changes etc. He was also born in Minnesota. Some would take this as a sign the Vikings are ready to move on. The day the Vikings introduced defensive coordinator Brian Flores, OConnell mentioned the thorough self-evaluation process that took place when the season ended. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on September 4, 2011.[16]. But in Kevin OConnells case on Wednesday, he was able to beam about the Vikings culture after an NFL Players Association survey showed proof that he made good on the cultural promises he made at the last NFL Combine. 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. Minnesotas approach to their franchise quarterback seems much more scientific. Teams that typically played with one-high safety against most opponents often utilized two-high safeties against the Vikings. He categorized the current state of rushing in the NFL into three separate strategies: deploying a running quarterback, operating in the run-pass option world, and going the traditional route with run-pass deception from under center. And I also want my opportunity to show that I can play at a high level. Alec Lewis is a staff writer covering the Minnesota Vikings for The Athletic. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) this season, helped his unit rank second in plays of 50-plus yards (10), fourth in yards per play (5.98) and eighth in offensive touchdowns (51) in 2021. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't saying if Ed Donatell will return as defensive coordinator for the 2023 season. 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. The Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing decision on Adam Thielens future with the franchise, a team that has employed him since 2013. A former NFL quarterback who was a career backup, O'Connell has been the Rams' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Not only schematically, how people play against you, but the responsibility he has as a role model. And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. Cousins is attached to a fully guaranteed $35MM base salary. He reiterated that he is proud of the way Cousins played in 2022 and is looking forward to seeing the 34-year-old build on things in 2023. ", "Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes," said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. O'Connell was signed by the San Diego Chargers on July 29, 2012, to serve as an emergency back-up in the Chargers' practices with Charlie Whitehurst suffering an injury and Kyle Boller announcing his retirement from the league. 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. [2] At La Costa Canyon, O'Connell lettered in both football and basketball. 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. Thats the byproduct of trying to do things the way we do. The Minnesota Vikings finalized their hiring of head coach Kevin O'Connell on Wednesday, completing a sharp offseason shift in direction by turning over the team to the 36-year-old. 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. [22] After the 201920 regular season, O'Connell was not retained by the incoming new head coach, Ron Rivera. The Carlsbad, California, native and his wife, Leah, have two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and a daughter, Quinn. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. "He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. A year later, they have far more expertise of the Vikings' roster. A significant part of the positive culture was OConnell and Cousins working together in lockstep. So, well see what happens.. To provide the premier place to go to work and improve both personally and collectively as a team in our league means a lot to us, OConnell said. "Reflecting on what we were able to accomplish as a football team an NFC North title and 13 wins it goes beyond that. Try a week on us. And when I think about all that went into it, from a coaching staff standpoint, our players, our leadership of our core leaders and foundation of such a great leadership group that I was able to have in my first year as a head coach in the National Football League, I truly feel very fortunate and blessed," O'Connell added. This year brings a different scenario. There are times when hes mad and when Im mad. In 2019, O'Connell helped guide rookie WR Terry McLaurin to 58 receptions, 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, the second-most receptions and third-most receiving yards and touchdowns among rookies in franchise history. What he means to our league, how he carries himself, how he works every day. [29]. But the biggest question on everybodys mind was what they were going to do with Kirk Cousins. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. They were together in Washington and grew their connection this season as the veteran QB led eight game-winning drives, won the division for the first time since arriving in Minnesota and put together one of his best games in the playoffs vs. the Giants. 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?. Beyond the Xs and Os, everyone we spoke with throughout this search process spoke highly of Kevin's ability to motivate players, coaches and staff. 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. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His net worth is somewhere between $30 million to $35 million. But in Kevin O'Connell's case on Wednesday, he was able to beam about the Vikings' culture after an NFL Players Association survey showed proof that he made good on the cultural promises he. How do you build the rest of the team? Adofo-Mensah asked. Wide receiver Adam Thielens cap number and age (32) present another complicated decision, and OConnell is mindful of the many factors. Prior to joining the Rams, O'Connell worked in Washington, serving as the quarterbacks coach in 2017-18 and the offensive coordinator in 2019. The idea. By COURTNEY CRONIN. In football, as a junior, he passed for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. Ive been very honest about that. But even if they do like mayo in their coffee, it seems like OConnell is bringing a thorough evaluation process to find their guy. When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell 'excited to coach' Kirk Cousins in 2022. 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. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. 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 (!!!) 5. When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strongly about that group, and I still think that theres places to go where we can build upon it even more, OConnell mentioned about Justin Jefferson and his wide receiving corps. 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. I think theres a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities., "I feel better than I ever have about our chances moving forward." Part of the reason for this is that the Vikings were still recovering from the Herschel Walker trade. Hes the epitome of a hometown hero, universally loved, and the type of player who should retire with the Vikings. [14] He was later released again on July 29, 2011.[15]. $36.25 million against its salary . The process was complicated by the lack of free agency and offseason movement due to the NFLs player lockout. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back. "One of my favorite players I've ever coached, I've told him that," O'Connell said of Jefferson. Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is "fired up" to work with Washington's new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Kupp's wide receiver Triple Crown in 2021, which he won after leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), joined him with WR Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers, 1990), WR Sterling Sharpe (Green Bay Packers, 1992) and WR Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers, 2005) as the only players since the 1970 merger to achieve this feat. That, more than anything, is what OConnell wants to eliminate. In July 2017, Kirk Cousins became the first quarterback to play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive year. Different quarterbacks require different things around them but we know for sure that [Cousins] meets that threshold. [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. 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. It's supposed to sting.' The 33-year-old quarterback's $35 million base salary for 2022 became guaranteed last March . (OConnell is 6-foot-5, so his frame provides a solid comparison.). With Cousins in his mid-30s, the Vikings need to figure out a succession plan at quarterback. One thing he knows is that no matter how many As he got in a survey or wins he posted as a first-year coach, that doesnt mean they can do it all again the same way and get the same results. In terms of the things that were different in 2022, the most noticeable were the approach to camp and preseason workloads, managing injuries and how players who were recovering from injuries were talked about publicly and the buy-in to quarterback Kirk Cousins. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA TODAY Sports). The only way theyre going to improve is through hard work and understanding that accountability factor to what their goals are, OConnell explained. Along the way, personal relationships grew. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he is "excited to coach" quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2022 and is "anticipating" him being a part of the team's plans. Under O'Connell, Rams quarterbacks have thrown for 1,517 passing yards (third in NFL), 11 touchdowns (fourth in NFL) and a 106.4 passer rating in playoff games (second in NFL). 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. Player development at every position is very, very important, OConnell said. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. ", "I don't want to be the Vikings GM without this guy on our team, so it's a priority," Adofo-Mensah said. Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II is the early leader for fastest player at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Friday. Adofo-Mensah also stated that there are a lot of other factors to consider what type of quarterback the Vikings could be looking for. Kevin O'Connell, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator, was introduced as the Minnesota Vikings next head coach on Thursday, and the big takeaway from . O'Connell played quarterback at San Diego State University, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. 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). O'Connell is the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, so he can't officially become the Vikings' new head coach until after the Super Bowl. "He understands what is critical to leading a team that wins at the highest level, and he has an ability to simplify the complex, which will help us in problem-solving in all football areas. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati. And its even stronger now, OConnell said. For O'Connell to coach Jefferson for a "really long time," the star receiver will need a contract extension. 2. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. Finding a suitable compromise appears to be the current strategy. 4. A necessary condition is having a starter-level quarterback, Adofo-Mensah began. ", "As I spent time with Kevin during the interview process, it became immediately clear he will be a great partner in building this football team for long-term success," said Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. OConnell, though, sounded committed to making it work. The last remaining head coach opening in the NFL has been filled. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has been hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history. At first, Adofo-Mensah makes it sound like Cousins is the NFLs version of microwaving Chinese leftovers at midnight. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. ". That OConnell even cited this statistic demonstrates the team is thinking about how to fully maximize its offense. "He is a strong leader, an innovative coach and an excellent communicator. "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. As we use the process of free agency and the draft to really take a look at how to evolve and fit what we want to do.. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelly, who is an attorney. Its even stronger now. 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. Adofo-Mensah shared an anecdote from after the game when he was walking the concourse behind a group of fans. O'Connell's father, Bill, was a longtime FBI agent, and his mother, Suzanne, is a teacher. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in Photos, Kevin OConnell Brings Energy, Innovation as Vikings New Head Coach, 5 Things to Know About New Vikings Head Coach Kevin OConnell. Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. Asked about the Vikings long-term future at that position, OConnell said he surveys the landscape of the position each year out of habit. 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. On August 31, 2010, New York released O'Connell. 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. Therefore, with free agency 11 days away, the Vikings and Thielen are firmly in the see what happens phase of the offseason, described by Thielen. They could have done what the Pittsburgh Steelers did by drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round last year, but they knew he wasnt the guy. 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. O'Connell was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft and played quarterback at San Diego State University. Top Salaries Free Agents Extensions Tools Best Values Transactions Chargers Kevin O'Connell Embed This Chargers, QB Age: 37-208d Exp: Years Drafted: Round 3 (#94 overall), 2008 College: San Diego State Agent (s): - More Chargers - Contract Details Transactions Statistics Transactions Sep 4 2011 Claimed off waivers by New York (NYJ) "But I wouldn't say that we're that established, 'there' team because we haven't shown it yet. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. The Vikings have not gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2008-09. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's media day last week at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. So have expectations going forward, until "someday" can become "the day.". While OConnell answered gracefully about his colleague, it was a reminder that they didnt finish the year with a deep playoff run. Kevin William O'Connell (born May 25, 1985), nicknamed " KOC ", [1] is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Follow us for breaking news and latest updates. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell fielded questions from the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Aside from the quarterback situation which is like talking about building a house and saying other than the ground it stands on the Vikings will also consider the wants/needs/system of Brian Flores as they look for improvement on defense. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. 3. Kevin O'Connell: Vikings have 'some real decisions' ahead to get under salary cap By Alec Lewis Mar 1, 2023 14 INDIANAPOLIS Following his news conference Wednesday afternoon at the NFL. O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los A. 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.". 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. Craig Peters. 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.' This website is not directly or indirectly affiliated, associated, or connected in any way to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or the National Hockey League. Kupp's 145 receptions and 1,947 receiving yards both ranked as the second-highest single-season totals in NFL history, trailing only Michael Thomas's 149 receptions in 2019 and Calvin Johnson's 1,964 receiving yards in 2012. 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. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Vikings head coach Kevin OConnell provided a bit of clarity on Thielens status at the NFL Combine this week, touting the veterans leadership while hoping to mesh his pricetag with the fit in Minnesotas 2023 WR room. Its not always easy to maintain that, but I will never change from that because I just believe thats the way youre supposed to operate.. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's cap hit might be rising in 2023, but owner Jerry Jones believes his quarterback has the ability to bridge the gap in any talent the roster might lose because of it. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports. Partnered with the USA TODAY Sports Media Group|Powered by, Signed a 1 year contract with Miami (MIA), Resigned a 2 year $1.25 million contract with New York (NYJ), Traded to NYJ from Detroit for a conditional draft pick, Signed a 4 year $2.46 million contract with New England (NE), Drafted by New England (NE): Round 3 (#94 overall). Even as other quarterbacks such as Willis, Desmond Ridder, and Sam Howell were there in the latest rounds of the draft, the Vikings didnt pull the trigger. Prior to his one year in San Francisco, O'Connell was the quarterbacks coach in Cleveland during the 2015 season, assisting QB Josh McCown to becoming the only player in team history to throw for 300 or more passing yards in three consecutive games. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielen's fate in 2023. To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". Right comes along. But theres a foundation of care., OConnell said the conversations with Cousins are ongoing., Its not like theres some secret thing going on, OConnell said. It is something Ive thought a lot about.. It meets that first threshold, and thats a question that a lot of people cant answer with a yes. So we have got to make sure that we treat that in the proper importance it is.. The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. 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. There are a few fundamental things that will influence decisions, starting with whether Cousins signs an extension. One thing I know, [Cousins] is good enough. If the Vikings parted ways with Thielen via outright release or trade, theyd face three plausible options for 2023s WR2: For now, OConnell views Thielen as an unabashed team leader, but the front office must determine the fair compensation for his cap hit. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. If not, they could ride Cousins another year and try their luck to acquire their guy in 2024. "Now, we've got to all the last phase of that is the accountability to each other, to make sure that that standard is championship worthy, and we're putting ourselves in that conversation to a man and to a woman in this building that we're looking at each other and asking ourselves the question, 'With everything we do, is it championship worthy? 1 in other areas before hiring OConnell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, particularly with a different attitude toward players and increased focus on sports science in the training room. OConnell continued, Adam is one of those leaders that I speak of. An NFLPA survey showed the Vikings as the best team for players in the league, bringing evidence that the changes they promised worked out, gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. in the 2012 draft. When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stepped up to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine, he had several questions to answer about the Minnesota Vikings future. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. Will that happen? The survey of more than 1,300 players that looked at numerous aspects of an organization from facilities to treatment of families to training staff gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. So, ultimately, we didn't accomplish the goals we wanted to accomplish, and I always want to be respectful of that. To better myself and make sure I'm doing everything that I can in this role that I feel so lucky to have and also so prepared to have. Wanting to make those guys feel like their coach cares about them, both the person and the player, and their future, its real, OConnell said. 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. . The rushing attack. Login Here. But this regime doesnt seem to be looking for a quarterback, theyre looking for the quarterback. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson put on a show Saturday at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, making history during his highly anticipated workout. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. But after a year on the bench, Culpepper took the Vikings into the next decade before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury in 2005. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. The more I can educate myself, learning about the details and particulars of our current situation, our previous situation, and obviously what it looks like moving forward, the more my conversations can be not only from an accurate place of where we are at this moment but where we hope to get to, OConnell said. [12] Following his departure, O'Connell found that he had a torn labrum in his throwing arm, an injury he sustained during the preseason. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, March 1, and he shed a little bit of light on what the team's goals are for the offseason. 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.
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