Vikings make feelings known on Kevin O'Connell's future as HC amid trade rumors: Report

Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings have forged a partnership of success. Since the young head coach took the job in 2022, the franchise qualified for the playoffs two out of three times, with the exception being in 2023 due to Kirk Cousins' season-ending injury.

Even with this success, an interesting report became public on Sunday. NFL reporter Jay Glazer said on FOX that multiple teams were interested in trading for O'Connell, who will have a single year left on his contract after the 2024 season. According to reports, there has been no talks of an extension on his contract.

The report caught many by surprise, especially as the head coach led the Vikings to an impressive 14-2 record with Sam Darnold at the helm. However, those rumors have been squashed: according to Mike Florio, from Pro Football Talk, Minnesota has no interest in trading the head coach:

O'Connell was hired out of Sean McVay's staff in 2022. He was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021, and moved to Minnesota right after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 season.

He was also a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. A quarterback out of San Diego State, he had a five-year career before moving to a coaching career.

Kevin O'Connell's impressive record with the Minnesota Vikings

Entering Week 18 of the regular season, he already had a great record with the franchise. He has 34 wins and 16 losses in 50 regular season games, which will be 51 after they play the Detroit Lions.

Under his leadership, the Vikings won the NFC North in 2022 with a 13-4 record, but they were upset by the New York Giants in the Wild Card Game that season. They finished with 7-10 in 2023.

The game against the Lions in Week 18 of the 2024 season is massive. Whoever wins the contest will win the NFC North, grab the NFC Wild Card bye and also hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the loser will be seed #5 and will start its playoff run away from home. Both teams enter the game 14-2.