He was also born in Minnesota. If Levis or Richardson is the type of quarterback that answers those questions, the Vikings will likely do their best to move up. Thielen joined the Vikings a decade ago as an undrafted special teamer and clawed his way up the depth chart to WR1 by the start of 2016. So have expectations going forward, until "someday" can become "the day.". View photos of new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in photos from his time with the Rams. One element of his teams play that must improve? A significant part of the positive culture was OConnell and Cousins working together in lockstep. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell in Photos, Kevin OConnell Brings Energy, Innovation as Vikings New Head Coach, 5 Things to Know About New Vikings Head Coach Kevin OConnell. Linebacker Eric Kendricks referred to a fear-based culture in a conference call after the former HC and GM were let go and players acknowledged meeting with ownership in which they asked for improvements in the overall environment. 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.' Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. For what its worth, SIs Albert Breer said on The Rich Eisen Show that many teams believe that the best quarterback prospects are still in college. Will that happen? The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. [27][28] O'Connell's Vikings hiring reunited him with quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom O'Connell had coached in 2017 (Cousins' final year with the Washington Redskins). "He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Kevin William O'Connell (born May 25, 1985), nicknamed "KOC",[1] is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). His team won 13 games and the NFLPA just said his teams culture was the best in the league. Beyond the Xs and Os, everyone we spoke with throughout this search process spoke highly of Kevin's ability to motivate players, coaches and staff. For O'Connell to coach Jefferson for a "really long time," the star receiver will need a contract extension. Quarterbacks are never far from OConnells mind. Thielen notched 716 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2022. O'Connell was signed by the San Diego Chargers on July 29, 2012, to serve as an emergency back-up in the Chargers' practices with Charlie Whitehurst suffering an injury and Kyle Boller announcing his retirement from the league. Partnered with the USA TODAY Sports Media Group|Powered by, Signed a 1 year contract with Miami (MIA), Resigned a 2 year $1.25 million contract with New York (NYJ), Traded to NYJ from Detroit for a conditional draft pick, Signed a 4 year $2.46 million contract with New England (NE), Drafted by New England (NE): Round 3 (#94 overall). "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.". As we use the process of free agency and the draft to really take a look at how to evolve and fit what we want to do.. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. An NFLPA survey showed the Vikings as the best team for players in the league, bringing evidence that the changes they promised worked out, gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell 'excited to coach' Kirk Cousins 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. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Adofo-Mensah also stated that there are a lot of other factors to consider what type of quarterback the Vikings could be looking for. The Minnesota Vikings finalized their hiring of head coach Kevin O'Connell on Wednesday, completing a sharp offseason shift in direction by turning over the team to the 36-year-old. The victories and records set on the way to winning the NFC North for the first time since 2017 enabled Minnesota to host a playoff game for the first time in five years, but that excitement ended abruptly Sunday when the Giants topped the Vikings 31-24. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell fielded questions from the media on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He and Adofo-Mensah greet each prospect when they enter the room both to establish their culture of care and provide other Vikings staffers in the room a glimpse at the players size. OConnell said he values the way the aforementioned players embraced his hiring last year and appreciates the way they helped bring about an entirely new culture. Kupp's wide receiver Triple Crown in 2021, which he won after leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), joined him with WR Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers, 1990), WR Sterling Sharpe (Green Bay Packers, 1992) and WR Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers, 2005) as the only players since the 1970 merger to achieve this feat. Players cited the tight-knit nature of the locker room and their confidence during late-game situations as a result of the buildings updated vibes under OConnell. 3. The survey of more than 1,300 players that looked at numerous aspects of an organization from facilities to treatment of families to training staff gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. When you have the receiver that leads the league in yards and receptions and have three other guys with 60-plus, you feel really strongly about that group, and I still think that theres places to go where we can build upon it even more, OConnell mentioned about Justin Jefferson and his wide receiving corps. During the 2021 season, O'Connell's lone season with Stafford, the signal caller threw for the third-most passing yards (4,886) and second-most touchdowns (41) in the NFL, all while achieving his career-best 102.9 passer rating (in seasons with more than eight starts), the sixth-best in the NFL. As a senior, he was named his team's Most Valuable Player, and selected to All-League, All-North County, and All-San Diego teams. Try a week on us. The Wilfs and the resources they give us to bring in the people, like [exectuive director of player health and performance] Tyler Williams, OConnell said. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! They worked with players they inherited, quickly assessing who was set to return and how to try to add pieces they deemed missing through a strategic approach to free agency and proceeding through the 2022 NFL Draft. 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.. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Pelissero noted that Brown, who interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position, is considered a "rising assistant" and is a candidate to replace O'Connell in Los Angeles. If you tell me Im second-and-5, here we go. INDIANAPOLIS -- Justin Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards and receptions in 2022 while averaging 106.4 yards per game. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had a career years in 2021. 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 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. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelly, who is an attorney. And trading him post June 1 would save the team $35 million of that against their cap. "As crazy as this sounds, leading the league in yards and receptions, I think he and I have just scratched the surface of where we want to go as an offense, particularly with him as our premier receiver," O'Connell said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. 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. We always have to be evaluating, OConnell said. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The last remaining head coach opening in the NFL has been filled. "I greatly appreciate the Wilf family, Kwesi and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization for providing the opportunity to be their next head coach," said O'Connell. In addition to helping QB Jared Goff to his fourth consecutive season with 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 Arizona 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. It's supposed to sting.' NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke with media members on Friday for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication in late January. Adofo-Mensah shared an anecdote from after the game when he was walking the concourse behind a group of fans. We're still feeling that here, but I will say that hurt, that sting, that will drive us. Stafford set the single-season team record for passing yards (4,886) and tied Kurt Warner from his 1999 MVP season for the most passing touchdowns in a season by a Rams quarterback with 41, while also winning his first playoff game in his 13th season in the NFL. But Adofo-Mensah gave his own review about his starting quarterback. Harrison Smith stats (2021): 73% completion % allowed, 98.7 QB rating allowed Already a projected $14 million over the 2022 NFL salary cap, the Vikings need to clear a ton of room. The Vikings have not gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2008-09. There are times when hes mad and when Im mad. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't saying if Ed Donatell will return as defensive coordinator for the 2023 season. Kevin O'Connell, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator, was introduced as the Minnesota Vikings next head coach on Thursday, and the big takeaway from . Different quarterbacks require different things around them but we know for sure that [Cousins] meets that threshold. With Robert Quinn, Cameron Jordan and Cameron Heyward still on the board, the Vikings decided to get their guy Christian Ponder. The Vikings had several needs coming off a 15-win season in 1998. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Its not always easy to maintain that, but I will never change from that because I just believe thats the way youre supposed to operate.. And in 2022, Cousins is scheduled to cost the Vikings $45 million on their salary cap. ". Culpeppers injury took the Vikings into another dark period where they took a quarterback because they needed one. During the 2009 preseason, O'Connell was claimed by the Detroit Lions and was then later traded to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick. If they want a quarterback in this draft, they seem willing to find a way to get them. 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 oversaw the production of three quarterbacks in 2019, specifically rookie QB Dwayne Haskins, Jr. Once Haskins, Jr., became the full-time starter in Week 9, he passed for 1,225 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions and an 85.5 passer rating. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Kevin will tease me about that sometimes. O'Connell also helped Vikings all-time leading rusher Adrian Peterson eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards (1,040) at the age of 34. Passing, he ranked tenth in yardage, eighth in attempts, and seventh in completions. My main goal was just to connect with him and build on a relationship that I thought was strong already. The idea. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. "Unbelievable talent. Certainly the facilities would have gotten an A+ last year but its hard to imagine they would have ranked No. In other words, hes going to look in the store window at this years draft class because he always does, whether he is shopping or not. Kevin O'Connell Updates Adam Thielen's Status with Vikings Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos, and The Doors (the band). Here are five takeaways from the conversation, beginning with OConnells thoughts on the free-agent decisions and potential cuts that will be made in the next couple of weeks. Kevin O'Connell signed a 1 year, - contract with the San Diego Chargers, including an average annual salary of -. Its still something I think about often, OConnell said of the loss to the Giants. "We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". View images from the Vikings locker room at TCO Performance Center on Monday as players cleaned out their lockers at the end of the 2022-23 season. 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. "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. In terms of the things that were different in 2022, the most noticeable were the approach to camp and preseason workloads, managing injuries and how players who were recovering from injuries were talked about publicly and the buy-in to quarterback Kirk Cousins. 1. My main goal was to connect with (Cousins) and build on a relationship, OConnell said. This is also a business. Kevin is currently the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and his salary is $84 million for three years. To say I'm excited about coaching Justin for a really long time is an understatement.". Player development at every position is very, very important, OConnell said. Anchored by T Andrew Whitworth, the oldest offensive lineman in the NFL, the Rams offensive line only allowed 56 sacks in the two years O'Connell was in Los Angeles, which was good for the seventh-fewest among NFL clubs. The Vikings Will Benefit From Their Revamped Team Culture, Theres One Ideal Way To Deal With Danielle Hunters Contract. I just watch the way he carries himself every single day and week. 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. As a four-year captain at San Diego State, O'Connell finished his career after appearing in 40 games while ranking third in completions (664), fourth in passing yards (7,689) and fifth in passing touchdowns (46) in school history. While the survey is the ultimate feather in OConnells cap in terms of retaining players on long-term contracts and signing free agents, hes aware that not everyone is going to be able to return and the team doesn't have oodles of cap space to spend this offseason. The direct work together began in April when Minnesota could start its offseason workout program and was followed by Organized Team Activities before a summer break that was followed by training camp, he preseason, regular season and postseason.
Nfl Players From St Louis High School,
Nugget Slide Stairs,
Wilderness Circuit Rodeo Schedule,
Dr Rexella Van Impe Degree,
Christina Onassis Funeral,
Articles K
