Who is the next Viking head coach, Kevin O’Connell?
The Vikings are reportedly set to hire L.A. Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell. This cannot become official until after the Super Bowl on February 13th. O'Connell is 36 years old, has been the Rams offensive coordinator since 2020. He was with the Washington football team from 2017-2019. O'Connell worked with Kirk Cousins in 2017 as his quarterbacks coach. He was the Washington quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator in 2018 and the offensive coordinator in Washington in 2019. O'Connell got his start in coaching in 2015 as the Cleveland Browns quarterback coach before spending a year in San Francisco as their special projects coach in 2016. New Viking General Manger Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was with the 49ers in 2016.
O'Connell had a brief playing career in the NFL after being drafted in the 3rd round in 2008 by the New England Patriots. He only appeared in 2 games in 2008 for the Patriots and was 4-6 passing for 23 yards. O'Connell was released by the Patriots in 2009 and was claimed by the Detroit Lions that season. He was claimed by the New York Jets in 2009 and spent 2 seasons there without seeing playing time. O'Connell was with the Jets and Dolphins in 2011 before one last stop with the San Diego Chargers in 2012.
Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says O'Connell could be an excellent young coach who should grow with a young General Manager in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Souhan says the expectation is that this combination will give them the collaboration that they want.
Souhan says O'Connell has to go and prove it because we don't know that he'll be a good head coach. Listen to my conversation with Jim Souhan below.