D Minnesota Vikings And coach Kevin O’Connell agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension Tuesday after a 14-3 regular season that defied widespread preseason projections outside of at least a losing record, if not last place in the NFC North.
The Vikings did not disclose the terms of the deal, which was reached with one year remaining on O’Connell’s existing contract. In three seasons with the Vikings, the 39-year-old O’Connell is 34-17 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs. Most notable was the quarterback’s career-best season in 2024 Sam Darnold During his debut with Minnesota, after the Vikings passed on Kirk Cousins ​​and drafted JJ McCarthy As his ultimate replacement.
Darnold became the first starting quarterback in NFL history since the league began tracking quarterback starts in 1950.
Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft who made waves with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, set career highs in nearly every statistical category and was voted to his first Pro Bowl team.
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“It is an absolute honor to continue to lead the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said in a statement. “Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted.”
O’Connell is the first coach in Vikings history with multiple seasons of at least 13 wins and the third in NFL history to mark at least two of them in his first three years. Matt LaFleur had three in a row for the Green Bay Packers (2019-21) and George Seifert (1989-90) had two for the San Francisco 49ers.
“Kevin is exactly who we believed he would be when we named him our head coach – an innovative play caller, a great communicator and a strong leader who inspires 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 standards we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.”
Reporting by the Associated Press.
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