Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Wins First Coach of the Year Honor

Although the Minnesota Vikings season didn’t end the way they wanted it to, Kevin O’Connell put on an absolute masterclass from the sideline. Expectations were ridiculously low, and his leadership translated to a 14-win season anyways.

Sam Darnold projected as a little more than a bridge quarterback capable of operating as a holdover. Thanks to O’Connell’s help, he’s now in line for a significant payday. The accolades for the Vikings leader are now also flowing in as he has won his first Coach of the Year honor.

Minnesota Vikings Kevin O’Connell grabs PFWA award

Kevin O’Connell is the betting favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year honors, by the Associate Press. He is already a finalist for that award. Today he has been called as such by the Pro Football Writers of America.

The AP Coach of the Year award will be revealed on February 6. After earning the honor from the writers, it’s pretty likely that O’Connell will pick up that award as well. The only other Vikings coach to win the Pro Football Writers of America Coach of the Award was Bud Grant back in 1969.

O’Connell’s latest honor comes on the heels of a multi-year contract extension he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite trade rumors swirling, the head coach was never going anywhere and the Wilf’s made sure to lock down their star leader.

In his third season as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, O’Connell led the 2024 squad to a 14-3 record. He owns a 34-17 record overall, and has achieved at least 13 wins in two of those years.

Last season was difficult with Minnesota fighting through quarterback uncertainty after Kirk Cousins ruptured his achilles. O’Connell did what he could to keep the team afloat and they finished with seven wins.

2025 will be a pivotal year for the Vikings as they look to break in first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The future of the organization in the near-term rests on his abilities and development. There’s no doubt that O’Connell is the exact type of leader capable of helping him flourish, however.