LIVE REPORT: Kevin O’Connell’s Future with the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves at the center of a swirling storm of Kevin O’Connell contract rumors. As speculation builds, the question remains: What will the Vikings do about the chatter surrounding their head coach’s future? The longer they wait, the louder these conversations will grow.
Adam Schefter Predicts an Extension for Kevin O’Connell
Veteran NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN weighed in on the situation during Friday’s Pat McAfee Show, firmly stating he doesn’t see a scenario where the Vikings trade O’Connell. Instead, Schefter confidently predicts an extension will come “sooner rather than later.”
Drawing from NFL precedent, Schefter explained:
“Teams that have coaches they’ve identified as their future don’t typically let [those] guys go into the final year of their deal.”
Schefter expects a deal to be finalized in the coming days or weeks:
“I don’t see him getting traded. I think the Wilf family is going to want to hold on to him. He’s entering the last year of his deal, and I imagine the two sides will sit down and figure out an extension.”
The Price Tag: What Could an Extension Cost?
Schefter estimates that O’Connell’s current salary is between $7-8 million per year. While he doesn’t believe the Vikings will make O’Connell the highest-paid coach in the league, he does predict a significant raise. For context, the NFL’s top coaches earn between $17-20 million annually. Schefter, however, suggested a more modest figure:
“The next deal might get him into the low teens—maybe $10 million or so. But the Wilfs might think that’s crazy.”
When Pat McAfee pushed back, suggesting O’Connell could command $17-20 million, Schefter countered:
“He’s going to get as much as he can, but I think a fair deal will land in the $10-14 million range.”
The Stakes for Both Sides
The situation carries risks for the Vikings. If no agreement is reached this offseason, O’Connell could play out the final year of his contract, betting on himself and entering the coaching free-agent market in 2026.
Schefter speculated on O’Connell’s market value if he chooses this path:
“If he has another strong season, I’d guess his open market value would be around $12-14 million annually. But if the Wilfs step up with a fair offer, I don’t see it getting to that point.”
Is Schefter Undervaluing O’Connell?
The debate heated up when McAfee accused Schefter of downplaying O’Connell’s worth to help out the Wilf family:
“This guy won 14 games this season with a quarterback making $13 million. He’s been incredible.”
“I’m a huge Kevin O’Connell guy. He’s one of the best coaches in the league and a culture builder. But I’m sticking to my projection.”
What’s Next for the Vikings and O’Connell?
The clock is ticking for the Vikings to secure O’Connell’s future. Without a new deal in place before training camp, the coach may opt to let the season play out and test the market. For now, all eyes are on the Wilf family to see how they handle their young head coach, who’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in the NFL coaching ranks.
