Why Peyton Manning Thinks Kevin O’Connell is the NFL’s Best Coach
The Minnesota Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell, widely regarded as the betting favorite for NFL Coach of the Year, has earned high praise from one of football’s greatest minds: Peyton Manning.
Appearing on This Is Football with Kevin Clark, Manning shared his admiration for O’Connell, even naming him as the coach he’d most want to play for in this year’s playoffs. In a field stacked with coaching legends like Mike Tomlin, Sean McVay, and Jim Harbaugh, Manning didn’t hesitate to choose O’Connell.
“He’s got no ego,” Manning said. “I think he’s a dynamic play-caller. I’m going with Kevin O’Connell.”
A Moment That Stuck with Manning
Although Manning revealed he hasn’t spoken to O’Connell personally, the Vikings coach left a lasting impression. Manning pointed to O’Connell’s demeanor during the Vikings’ postgame celebration after their Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
In that moment, Sam Darnold was hoisted in the air by his teammates, celebrating a career-high 377-yard passing performance. O’Connell stood back, letting his players enjoy the spotlight.
“That moment where Darnold jumps up in the locker room, and they celebrate, and [O’Connell’s] just standing back watching, tells you everything you need to know about him,” Manning said. “It’s about the players. It’s about me putting them in a position to succeed. I’m just going to sit back and watch this.”
The Case for Coach of the Year
With the 2024 NFL season wrapped up, O’Connell is the frontrunner to win Coach of the Year, an honor to be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6.
O’Connell’s leadership guided the Vikings to a remarkable season, overcoming significant obstacles. In Minnesota’s first year without Kirk Cousins, the team entered the season with an over/under win total of just 6.5, according to sportsbooks.
The challenges began early. The tragic death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and season-ending injuries to Mekhi Blackmon and J.J. McCarthy left the Vikings in disarray before the season even started. Yet, O’Connell turned the tide.
Behind Sam Darnold, who earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, the Vikings started the season with five straight wins. Even after back-to-back losses midseason, O’Connell rallied the team to nine consecutive victories, six of which were decided by one score.
O’Connell’s Vikings finished the season with 14 wins, making him the first coach since 1950 to achieve that milestone with a quarterback in their first year with the team.
Doing More with Less
O’Connell’s achievements are even more impressive considering the Vikings faced $69 million in dead cap, the fifth-highest in the league. In just two seasons, O’Connell has transformed a team that went 8-9 in 2021 into a perennial contender. His work with Darnold, a reclamation project, has elevated the quarterback to a level where he is poised to command top-tier money in the offseason.
According to DraftKings, O’Connell is a -750 favorite to win Coach of the Year, giving him an implied 88% chance of taking home the award. His closest competition, Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, trails significantly with +300 odds and a 25% implied win probability.
The Legacy of Leadership
Kevin O’Connell’s success goes beyond X’s and O’s. His ability to instill confidence, foster unity, and adapt to adversity has made him one of the league’s most respected coaches. As Manning’s endorsement highlights, O’Connell’s impact is as much about his character as his strategy.
Stay tuned as the NFL Honors ceremony approaches, where O’Connell could add another accolade to his impressive résumé.
