Vikings Begin Offseason with Uncertainty Surrounding Coach and Quarterback
Kevin O\'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings achieved 14 victories in 2024 before their season abruptly ended with a wild-card defeat against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.
Now, the offseason has arrived, bringing with it pressing questions that need to be addressed.
O\'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are both in the final year of their four-year contracts, as team president Mark Wilf has chosen to delay extension talks until the end of the regular season.
Over the past three seasons, the Vikings have a record of 34-17 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs under O\'Connell, who is favored by oddsmakers to win NFL Coach of the Year.
Wilf expressed his excitement for the future with his current coach and GM, despite reports suggesting other teams may be interested in trading for O\'Connell.
O\'Connell himself stated that he is committed to staying with Minnesota, saying, \"This is where I want to keep coaching and leading.\"
He and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown were praised for their work with Sam Darnold, who joined the team on a one-year contract after Kirk Cousins left in free agency to join the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, had a career year with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, despite playing for his fourth NFL team.
O\'Connell spoke highly of Darnold's performance, saying, \"What he was able to do this year, when not many people believed he could lead a team to 14 wins, was remarkable. He committed himself to daily improvement and being the best version of himself. Unfortunately, it didn't work out in the end. I'm sure Sam would be the first to admit that he could have played better tonight. And I know I could have coached better. Our team could have also rallied around a few plays to keep the game closer.\"
At 27 years old, Darnold may not be the future of the Vikings, not just because of his contract.
In the 2024 draft, the Vikings selected former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, but he spent the season on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery. He will turn 22 on Monday.
In December, O\'Connell expressed his desire for Darnold to return to the team. However, after two lopsided losses to the Detroit Lions and the Rams, Darnold knows that the focus will be on how the season ended.
In Monday's game, Darnold completed 25 out of 40 passes for 245 yards, with one touchdown, one interception, and one lost fumble. He was also sacked nine times for a total of 82 yards.
All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson expressed his confidence in Adofo-Mensah and O\'Connell to make the right decision regarding the quarterback situation once again.
\"After last season, I didn't know who my quarterback was going to be, and I really didn't care,\" Jefferson said. \"At the end of the day, I have confidence in myself to perform at the same level. But it's not my job to decide who the quarterback will be. They will figure it out, and whoever they choose, we will work with that.\"
