LIVE: Minnesota Vikings Lock In Kevin O’Connell with Lucrative Extension
The Minnesota Vikings have officially checked off a major offseason priority—securing head coach Kevin O’Connell for the long haul. With speculation swirling about O’Connell’s future following the Vikings’ NFC Wild Card exit, this extension brings much-needed clarity to the franchise.
According to reports, the deal spans five years and is worth approximately $65 million, placing O’Connell among the top six highest-paid coaches in the NFL. While insiders had been tight-lipped about the financials, local veteran reporter Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) finally put the numbers on paper in his latest column.
O’Connell’s Price Tag: Nearly $15M Per Year
Per Walters, the contract structure suggests an average annual salary just shy of $15 million over four years, keeping the Vikings committed to O’Connell for a full five seasons. Some believed he could have commanded upwards of $20 million per year, a salary range occupied by elite names like Andy Reid and Sean McVay. However, considering the Detroit Lions recently hired Ben Johnson for $13 million annually, O’Connell’s $15M figure seems fair for a coach boasting a 34-17 record in Minnesota.
Did the Vikings Consider Playing Hardball?
Interestingly, Walters also revealed that the Wilf family—owners of the Minnesota Vikings—had an alternative approach in mind before finalizing the extension. The plan? Delay negotiations, let the coaching carousel spin, and back O’Connell into a corner with fewer options on the open market.
“[The Wilfs] could have waited O’Connell out while a handful of other coaching jobs filled, limiting his options and then making a take-it-or-leave-it offer. If so, O’Connell would have had to decide whether to become a free agent after a year. And if the Vikings disappointed in 2025, which could happen, O’Connell would have lost leverage.”
— Charley Walters, Pioneer Press
Ultimately, the Vikings chose not to play that risky game, securing Kevin O’Connell for the foreseeable future. Now, with his contract locked in, the focus shifts to the quarterback situation. Will O’Connell groom JJ McCarthy, or could Sam Darnold unexpectedly take the reins?
One thing is certain—the Vikings have their head coach in place. Now, it’s time to build a winner around him.
