When the Minnesota Vikings took the field in Week 5, one player stood out for his absence during the opening quarter: Jordan Addison. The 23-year-old receiver was seen sitting on the sidelines, instead of starting the game. And while the viewers were surprised by the decision, speculating an injury or any other issues, it was the Vikings’ head coach, Kevin O’Connell, who did not let the WR start the game.

Post their 21-17 win against the Cleveland Browns, when asked about the same, Minnesota head coach revealed that Addison missed a team walkthrough earlier in the week, hence the punishment.

“He missed a walkthrough this week,” O’Connell said. “Those types of things aren’t in alignment with our standards. Wanted to make sure he was held accountable for that.”

That explanation confirmed that Addison’s absence was disciplinary, not injury-related, as ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted. The third-year WR more than made up for the early benching, finishing the game with five catches for 41 yards, including the game-winning touchdown with just 24 seconds remaining. On that final drive, he also hauled in two crucial passes, including a diving 5-yard gain, keeping the Vikings’ comeback hopes alive. Despite the initial sideline time, Addison returned for the second quarter and quickly silenced any controversy.

Still, the benching was a disappointing development for Addison, who returned to action in Week 4 after missing the first three games of the season due to a suspension following a 2024 DUI arrest. In that Week 4 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he caught four passes for 114 yards, signaling a return to form.

As a first-round pick out of USC in 2023, Addison has accumulated 1,900 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in 33 career games. Yet, off-the-field issues have continued to shape his early NFL narrative. In July 2023, he was cited for driving 140 miles per hour, and a July DUI arrest led to his three-game suspension this season.

Given the secrecy surrounding his first-quarter benching, both Addison and O’Connell were likely to face questions after the game, but Addison’s heroics in the 21-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns largely overshadowed such concerns.

Kevin O’Connell’s patience pays off for Vikings

When the Vikings were searching for a head coach after the 2021 season, they were the last team to make a decision. Kevin O’Connell was on their radar, but other candidates, including Brian Daboll, Raheem Morris, and Jim Harbaugh, were also in the mix. Minnesota’s GM, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, decided to wait, ultimately choosing O’Connell after he led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl victory.

The move has paid off. Now five weeks into his fourth season, O’Connell has earned a Coach of the Year award, cementing the decision as a smart one for the franchise.

O’Connell stands out for the way he connects with his players. Having played professionally himself, he understands their mindset and communicates with authenticity, helping build trust and buy-in across the roster.

This season hasn’t been easy. Injuries have taken a toll, contributing to a 2-2 start. Yet O’Connell refuses to dwell on blame or excuses.

“I’m very fortunate to have some players that kind of look at things through the similar lens as I do, where … adversity or challenges or obstacles are really just opportunities for growth from a team standpoint,” he said. “But I’m a big believer, if you’re looking for obstacles and excuses, you’re probably going to find them. So why would we take the time and energy to look, and let’s just focus on what we need to focus on in the present?”

His approach—focusing on accountability, growth, and problem-solving—has been central to the Vikings’ resilience. As injured players return and the team works through early-season setbacks, O’Connell’s leadership could turn this season into the defining coaching performance of his career. Maybe even carry Minnesota deep into the playoffs.