The Minnesota Vikings have awarded head coach Kevin O'Connell a multiyear contract extension following an impressive 2023-24 season that saw the team defy preseason expectations and achieve a 14-3 record. The extension comes with one year remaining on O'Connell's previous contract.
The Minnesota Vikings and head coach Kevin O'Connell agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Tuesday. This decision comes after a remarkable 2023-24 regular season where the Vikings achieved a 14-3 record, defying preseason predictions that anticipated a losing season or even last place in the NFC North. While the financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed, it was reached with one year left on O'Connell's previous contract.
During his three seasons with the Vikings, the 39-year-old coach has compiled a 34-17 record in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs. A standout moment in 2023-24 was quarterback Sam Darnold's career-best performance in his debut season with Minnesota. The Vikings transitioned from Kirk Cousins and drafted J.J. McCarthy as his eventual successor. Darnold achieved a historic feat, becoming the first starting quarterback in NFL history to record 14 wins in his first season with a team since the league began tracking quarterback starts in 1950. Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, had previously struggled with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers but showcased career highs in nearly every statistical category and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. 'It is an absolute honor to continue leading the Minnesota Vikings,' O'Connell said in a statement. 'Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted.' O'Connell becomes the first coach in Vikings history with multiple seasons of at least 13 wins and the third in NFL history to achieve at least two such seasons in his first three years. Matt LaFleur accomplished this feat with the Green Bay Packers, securing three consecutive seasons with 13 or more wins from 2019 to 2021, while George Seifert achieved two seasons of at least 13 wins in his first three years with the San Francisco 49ers (1989-90). 'Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach — an innovative play caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,' Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said. '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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