There has been a lot of chatter not too long ago about Kevin O’Connell’s job safety as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. Part of this chatter surrounds the uncertainty around the QB position heading into the 2026 season. It additionally displays the actuality of the head coach place in the NFL, the place only a few groups give coaches lengthy leashes anymore. Even although O’Connell is only some years faraway from a coach of the award and has a ton of normal season success over his tenure, the lack of playoff wins could force the Vikings ownership to make a move sooner than later.
O’Connell has an amazing common season monitor file however has but to win a playoff recreation
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell throughout the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
KOC has been a very nice coach for the Vikings over his first 4 seasons with the staff, racking up 43 wins, which ranks as the fifth-best whole for a head coach over that point interval. The drawback for O’Connell is not essentially the common season however somewhat his lack of ability to win in the postseason. Despite having stable staff performances that end in good regular-season data, the Vikings nonetheless have not received a playoff recreation throughout the O’Connell period.
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The Vikings received their division in 2022 after going 13-4 throughout O’Connell’s first season as the head coach. Still, they misplaced surprisingly to the New York Giants throughout their one 12 months of relevancy of their first 12 months beneath Brian Daboll. The Vikings then missed the 2023 playoffs after Kirk Cousins received harm and located their means into the playoffs in 2024 after the sudden re-emergence of Sam Darnold powered them to a 14-win season. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Darnold noticed ghosts in LA and led the staff to an abysmal 27-9 loss to the Rams. After that, the Vikings let Darnold stroll, and everyone knows what occurred final season. Now O’Connell enters his fifth 12 months with the staff with a status as an amazing common season coach who cannot again it up in the playoffs.
The Vikings’ possession could desire a exhausting reset if issues totally crumble this 12 months
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell throughout the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
That playoff query is prone to taint KOC’s worth in the eyes of the homeowners, and that could be sufficient to get them to tug the set off on a franchise reset if the Vikings find yourself with a horrible file and an opportunity at a QB like Arch Manning or Dante Moore in the draft. A brand new QB and a brand new head coach might usher in a brand-new period of Vikings’ soccer and reenergize a fanbase that’s at present a bit torpid. Obviously, Kevin O’Connell might keep away from this case by placing up a stable 12 months this season and will put the complete dialog to mattress by simply successful a playoff recreation or two.
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2026, the place it first appeared in the NFL part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.