It looks like there will be a new sheriff in town as the Minnesota Vikings are finalizing a deal for Rams OC Kevin O’Connell. He will be the next head coach of the Vikings organization after this year’s Super Bowl in which he will be participating. O’Connell was one of the candidates for the role with a coaching exodus across NFL franchises following the end of the 2021 campaign.
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He has been in the league since the 2015 season as a QB coach and then gradually transitioning to an offensive coordinator role. He will become the Vikings’ 10th head coaching appointment in franchise history. Kevin O’Connell has made improvements in the Rams offensive rating taking them up from the 10th spot in 2020 to the 8th spot in 2021. His appointment means the Los Angeles Rams are losing their second offensive coordinator in as many years to another NFL franchise.
Rams OC Kevin O’Connell will be the next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings but can’t officially sign until after the Super Bowl, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/rtcHw9o10O
— PFF (@PFF) February 3, 2022
O’Connell will be a very positive appointment by the team that has a roster with huge potential. QB Kirk Cousins also has a history with the incoming coach as he did work with him during his last season as a Washington Commander. He will immediately be under pressure from the Vikings organization and has ambitions of winning games.
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The appointment of O’Connell by the new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was straightforward as both have a work history with each other during their stint with the San Francisco 49ers. It seems a hire that is more about familiarity and chemistry and has been a trend among NFL franchises in the past.
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The Rams OC also played within the NFL for nearly 5 years before holding any coaching positions. He did join the New England Patriots as a third-round pick in the 2008 season as legendary QB Tom Brady‘s backup. But he was always constantly on the move during his playing career representing 5 organizations in as many years.
It appears to be an encouraging appointment made by GM Mensah, who will be determined to start well with his employers. The mere fact that O’Connell did improve the NFC Champions Rams is a great sign for Vikings hoping to witness a change in their fortunes. The first step to their road to recovery would be making the playoffs in the upcoming season. Despite the pressure O’Connell might be facing, he will be eager to make it count with Minnesota.
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