"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. Heck, it was even over 70 degrees outside. There are a few fundamental things that will influence decisions, starting with whether Cousins signs an extension. Player development at every position is very, very important, OConnell said. Kevin will tease me about that sometimes. The personnel department continued to be on the lookout for players who became available after their release by other teams, and the coaching staff usually helped integrate the acquired player quickly, whether it was Za'Darius Smith in Week 1 or T.J. Hockenson in Week 9. 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. Kevin O'Connell Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries Its even stronger now. There also were road losses at Detroit and Green Bay after the calendar flipped to December. [24] In O'Connell's second season with the Rams, their offense ranked 2nd best in receiving touchdowns (41), 5th highest in total yards (4,893), 8th best in total touchdowns (63), and the team won Super Bowl LVI (defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 2320). Who is Leah O'Connell, Wife of the Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O Follow us for breaking news and latest updates. If I demand our team to improve in certain areas, OConnell said, Ive got to do the things we need to do as a staff.. On August 5, 2011, O'Connell signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was waived on September 3. Predictability, then, provides comfort to defenses. Those are all questions we got to answer. Use of any marks, trademarks, or logos on this website shall not constitute a sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. But the. I just watch the way he carries himself every single day and week. Its just not possible when sitting $24 million over the cap (per OverTheCap.com) to bring all the veterans back. The Vikings head coach compared all of the moving parts to puzzle pieces but its more like a choose-your-own-adventure book because each choice with Player X impacts Player Y and the combination of all of the decisions takes you to a different endpoint. The wait is over for Minnesota Vikings fans who were a bit . I think that's where we want to go eventually," Adofo-Mensah continued. "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. Wide receiver Adam Thielens cap number and age (32) present another complicated decision, and OConnell is mindful of the many factors. In basketball, he was a two-year letterman, and a teammate of Arizona standout Chase Budinger. 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. 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. For O'Connell to coach Jefferson for a "really long time," the star receiver will need a contract extension. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. [10], He was named a team captain for the September 20 game against the New England Patriots.[11]. 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. There was a mixed reaction to that pick. EAGAN, Minn. Eleven months and a day after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah helped introduce Kevin O'Connell from a temporary stage constructed in Twin . 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. Kevin O'Connell Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los A. Thielen notched 716 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2022. . Following his All-Pro wideout's 1,809-yard, 128-catch, eight-touchdown campaign, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell believes Jefferson can soar even higher. Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, and NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that he would not anticipate the type of one-year, fully-guaranteed extensions that the 35-year-old has signed in the past. Spielman hand-picked Ponder to be his quarterback after watching a game against North Carolina and a couple of practices at the Senior Bowl. During the 2018 season, O'Connell was tasked with getting three different quarterbacks (Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy and Mark Sanchez) up to speed following a devastating injury to starting QB Alex Smith. Prior to joining the Rams, O'Connell worked in Washington, serving as the quarterbacks coach in 2017-18 and the offensive coordinator in 2019. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Not only schematically, how people play against you, but the responsibility he has as a role model. On Tuesday, Adofo-Mensah explained that Cousins camp wants certainty if he is to sign a new deal, while the Vikings seek flexibility. 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. Certainly the facilities would have gotten an A+ last year but its hard to imagine they would have ranked No. "One of my favorite players I've ever coached, I've told him that," O'Connell said of Jefferson. The only way theyre going to improve is through hard work and understanding that accountability factor to what their goals are, OConnell explained. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. [4] He was the Kai team quarterback in the 2008 Hula Bowl, where he led the offense and was one of the Kai team's only bright spots. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past two seasons. 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. INDIANAPOLIS -- Justin Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards and receptions in 2022 while averaging 106.4 yards per game. They needed more receivers on the field. Craig Peters. Sure, it may not be good as a fresh bowl of General Tsaos Chicken, but it beats not having Chinese food at all. O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. ". ", "Making sure that the standard of knowing we've got the culture, knowing we've got the right things going in this building," O'Connell said. Right. 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. Weve got some real decisions to talk through and things to work through, OConnell said. Were having conversations with our players, their representation, and ultimately how all of those things shake out will be done in a way where we just want to make sure we stand by what we believe in as an organization.. The last remaining head coach opening in the NFL has been filled. Brad Childress urged Minnesota to draft Tarvaris Jackson upon his arrival in the 2006, and then recruited Brett Favre as an act of desperation to lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA TODAY Sports). The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. 4 takeaways from Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell's combine press conference In addition to impacting the culture within the building through an emphasis on building connectivity across the roster, the Vikings installed O'Connell's offense with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, a defensive system led by Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell and changed their special teams under first-year coordinator Matt Daniels. "That's what led to a historic number of one-score games and so that's probably been the hardest job is adjusting to those things. Vikings to hire Kevin O'Connell after being turned down by Jim Harbaugh The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. When Favre finally declined, the Vikings were in another spot of desperation to draft a quarterback in 2011. 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.". O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) in 2021, 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. O'Connell and the Rams are coming off a victory in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. So, well see what happens.. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. It's supposed to hurt. They want tostart every game, lead their team to the playoffs, win a Super Bowl, [but] a lot goes into what it takes to do that.. He spent his childhood in Carlsbad, California, where he attended La Costa Canyon High School. Vikings Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have a long to-do list Kevin O'Connell Offensive Scheme Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Kevin O'Connell has been chosen to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings officially after the Super Bowl on February 13, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 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, 36, was a third-round pick . 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. "We have to make sure we do it in an order that we can do it in given all the other decisions we have to make.". 4 takeaways from Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell's combine press conference pic.twitter.com/WKHqPZU8ea, Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 1, 2023. Kevin O'Connell had some interesting things to say about the direction the Minnesota Vikings want to go as they look ahead to the 2023 NFL season. Vikings Name Kevin O'Connell Head Coach - Minnesota Vikings 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. Looking back on Vikings history, they have stumbled trying to find a franchise quarterback. "And then, sure enough, she ended up in the same place. Here are five things to know. The 33-year-old quarterback's $35 million base salary for 2022 became guaranteed last March . The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. Right comes along. Since the start of 2019, Thielen ranks fifth in the NFL in touchdown receptions (36), trailing only Davante Adams (48), Mike Evans (41), Tyreek Hill (38), and Travis Kelce (37). 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) 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. 3. I think the priority first and foremost is giving him time to evaluate our roster with our young players and some of our veteran players and see how pieces may fit, OConnell said. The Vikings won the NFC North for the first time since 2017, which was good enough for the NFC's third seed, but were defeated by the New York Giants in the Wild Card round by a final score of 3124. ", "Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes," said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. KARE 11 Sports Director. 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.' In addition to helping QB Jared Goff to his fourth consecutive of at least 3,800 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2020, O'Connell prepared QB John Wolford for a win-and-in game against the Cardinals in Week 17, helping him pass for 231 yards and rush for 56 more in his NFL debut, while leading the Rams to a 18-7 victory and a playoff berth. O'Connell coached QB Kirk Cousins in 2017, helping him throw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, and record a career-high 342 rushing yards and a league-leading four game-winning drives. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the futures of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. A significant part of the positive culture was OConnell and Cousins working together in lockstep. Even if the Vikings agree to a long-term extension, they seem to be willing to wait until their version of Mr. The process was complicated by the lack of free agency and offseason movement due to the NFLs player lockout. 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. O'Connell rushed for a touchdown in the 2008 preseason against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter, in a game the Patriots eventually lost 1914. "He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. He's McVay's second coordinator in two years to move on, joiningformer Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who is now head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. ", O'Connell said the next step is "a championship standard" and that he wanted to wrap his evaluations and dialogue about the 2022 season the "way it should, with the same type of connection" with players and the "foundational building blocks of what we want to be. Vikings fans should be excited for the future of this team under Kevin's direction. Kevin O'Connell Salary, Net Worth, Offensive Scheme - ABTC "One of them said that she had been a long-time Vikings fan and always felt let down, and this team felt different to her," Adofo-Mensah said. O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. And I also want my opportunity to show that I can play at a high level. And its even stronger now, OConnell said. The coach has made it a priority to educate himself on the particulars of the teams cap constraints. New Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell sees 'very talented roster' in O'Connell, 36, was a member of the 49ers coaching staff (special projects) in 2016 and overlapped that season with new Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. 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. . In the meantime, quarterbacks such as Heath Shuler, Trent Dilfer, and Jim Druckenmiller went off the board until Green finally saw a quarterback he liked in the 1999 draft, Daunte Culpepper. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. Kevin O'Connell (American football) - Wikipedia The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. 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. The assessments of inherited players were made a year ago through film study and advanced metrics. OConnell, though, sounded committed to making it work. I think theres a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities..
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