EAGAN, Minnesota – The Minnesota Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell reached an agreement on a multiyear contract extension on Tuesday, marking the end of a unique chapter and securing one of the NFL’s top young head coaches.
Terms weren’t immediately available.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also claimed that the Vikings are negotiating a contract extension with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Adofo-Mensah, like O’Connell, signed a four-year contract with the Vikings in 2022 and has one year remaining on it.O’Connell was dissatisfied following the 2023 season when owners Zygi and Mark Wilf decided not to renew his contract, according to ESPN, at a time when the team sought to rebuild at quarterback. There were multiple teams.
They were preparing to make trade offers this month if the sides were unable to reach an agreement on an extension, as Fox Sports first reported and ESPN later confirmed, given the possibility that O’Connell could simply work until his contract expired and become a coaching free agent in 2025.
But O’Connell has stated twice this month that he wants to stay with the Vikings, and after meeting with the Wilfs last week, he added: “I love our ownership.”
O’Connell was not available for comment on Tuesday. In a statement provided by the organization, he stated: “It is an incredible privilege to continue leading the Minnesota Vikings. I never take this high position for granted, and I want it.
to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Wilf family for their steadfast belief in what we’re creating together.” O’Connell, 39, came to the Vikings after spending two years as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. He has a 34-17 record, two postseason berths, and is one of only three coaches in NFL history to have multiple 13-win seasons in his first three years. The other players are Green Bay Packers’ Matt LaFleur and San Francisco 49ers’ George Seifert.
While LaFleur and Seifert benefited from having a Hall of Fame quarterback, O’Connell won 13 games with Kirk Cousins in 2022 and 14 games with Sam Darnold in 2024. The Vikings will entrust him with developing J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick. in the previous year’s draft, as their long-term starter.”Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach — an innovative playcaller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,” said Mark Wilf in a statement. “He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.”
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