The Minnesota Vikings have given Kevin O’Connell a vote of confidence by extending his contract as the team’s head coach for multiple seasons, the team announced Tuesday.
However, we do not know the details of the agreement. The deal was reached with one year remaining on O’Connell’s existing contract.
According to the network’s Adam Schefter ESPNthe Vikings would also try to extend the contract of their general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
O’Connell led the Vikings to a 14-3 record this season and the team has gone 34-17 in three seasons since he became head coach. Minnesota has reached the playoffs twice, but the team lost in the first round on each occasion, including this year to the Rams.
Quarterback Sam Darnold shined in his debut with Minnesota last year, after the Vikings got rid of Kirk Cousins and drafted JJ McCarthy to one day replace him.
Darnold is the first quarterback in NFL history to post 14 wins in his first season with a club since the league added starts to quarterback statistics in 1950.
Darnold, third overall pick in 2018, struggled with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
With the Vikings, on the other hand, he set career highs in almost every notable category.
O’Connell became the first Vikings head coach to lead the team to multiple seasons of at least 13 wins, and he became the coach to reach the 30-win mark the fastest, achieving his 46th duel.
“It is an honor to continue to lead the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said in a statement. Having this prestigious position is something I do not take lightly, and I want to express my sincerest appreciation to the Wilf family for their belief in what we are building together. I’m excited for the years to come and will continue to give everything I can to seek a Super Bowl for the state of Minnesota. »
Minnesota was 8-1 at home.
The club lost on the road in the first playoff round, against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Innovative in his play calls, Kevin is an excellent communicator and a top leader. He motivates his players and builds strong bonds with them, said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf.
“He helped establish a culture that positions us for lasting success. »
McDaniels soon hired by the Patriots
The New England Patriots are expected to soon confirm the hiring of Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
McDaniels already has two stints as coordinator for the Patriots. His first was from 2006 to 2008, before he was hired as head coach by the Denver Broncos.
-He then returned to New England in 2012 and spent ten more seasons leading the offense before accepting a job as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
McDaniels won six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots and will now be in charge of the offense, led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Bears confirm Johnson’s arrival
Ben Johnson helped Jared Goff establish himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
He’s going to try to re-release with Caleb Williams.
Johnson finalized a deal to become head coach of the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.
“Having been in the opposing clan, I can attest to the passion Bears fans have for this city and their team,” Johnson said in a press release. I am honored to be their head coach. »
This will be a first head coaching job for Johnson, who is 38 years old.
He was held in high esteem among available candidates, after three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
He joined the Lions staff in 2019, after seven years as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins.
With Johnson overseeing the offense, Goff has tallied more than 4,400 air yards in each of the last three seasons.
The Lions finished atop the NFC with a 15-2 record before being defeated by Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in the second round on Saturday.
The Bears fired Matt Eberflus on November 29, handing the job to Thomas Brown on an interim basis. Chicago lost 10 straight games before ending the season with a victory, at Green Bay. The Bears were 5-12.
Williams’ development will be Johnson’s priority, following the Bears’ fourth straight losing season.
Drafted first overall in 2024, he had 3,541 air yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. However, he was the victim of 68 sacks, a league high.
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