Outrageous Vikings Trade Idea Hits the Internet
The Minnesota Vikings have had way more success in the 2024 campaign than anyone could’ve predicted in August. That, of course, brings some attention to the franchise, and its employees ‒ coaches and players ‒ are viewed as more valuable assets as we advance. But that leads to some folks having absurd ideas.
Outrageous Vikings Trade Idea Hits the Internet
One of those theories was posted on social media just one day after Minnesota advanced to 10-2 by winning Sunday’s bout against the Arizona Cardinals.
ESPN writer Kalyn Kahler wrote on X: “This is going to sound crazy, but the Bears need to think crazy. They should trade for Kevin O’Connell. Caleb and KOC love each other. I don’t know if the Vikings would ever part with him, but Chicago should at least try. Added bonus: I believe his agent is Trace Armstrong.”
Trading for a coach isn’t completely unheard of. The most famous example is Bill Belichick’s move from the Jets to the Patriots, at least on paper, as the commissioner awarded the Jets a couple of draft choices following Belichick’s exit. A more recent move was Sean Payton’s return to the NFL. He was still under contract with the Saints, and the Broncos sent draft capital to Louisiana to appoint him as their new head coach.
The good news is that the Vikes employ an excellent head coach who is highly regarded around the league. Apparently, as the trade idea shows, media personalities think O’Connell is a wonderful coach, and the recent addition of Daniel Jones also proves that players have started to appreciate the former quarterback. Jones could’ve picked any team, but he chose to work with Minnesota’s skipper.
In October, Alec Lewis from The Athletic wrote in one of his articles:
“You know the NFLPA report card?” right tackle Brian O’Neill said in August, referring to the player survey that identified the Vikings as one of the most highly regarded teams in the league in terms of working conditions and environment. “(O’Connell) is the report card. He sets the tone for the entire building.”
He joined the club in 2022 after winning the Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Since then, he has built a phenomenal culture in the Twin Cities that has directly led to the successful 10-2 start to the 2024 campaign but also to the 13-4 season in 2022.
Since his appointment, his team and the 49ers have had the same record in the regular season. The one missing piece is a playoff run, but nobody viewed the Vikings as a contending team going into one of his three seasons in charge.
O’Connell is viewed as a quarterback whisperer, especially after elevating the play of journeyman and former third-overall bust Sam Darnold. That makes him a logical candidate for the Bears, who need someone to mentor first-overall pick Caleb Williams.
It should be noted, though, that the Vikings know what they have in their head coach, and letting perhaps the most valuable asset leave the building would be a foolish move, let alone shipping him to a division rival.
O’Connell signed a four-year contract in 2022, so an extension is needed at some point in the near future. There have been rumblings and rumors, but all of them share one sentiment: The brass loves O’Connell, and an extension will take place soon. Charley Walters from the Pioneer Press was the last one to write about a new deal just a few days ago.
“It’s probably still too early to offer Vikings QB Sam Darnold a contract extension now. The same for coach Kevin O’Connell, although it seems certain he’ll eventually receive a deal that could nearly double his current salary, estimated at $5 million a year. O’Connell, 39, is signed through 2025,” Walters wrote last weekend.
The head coach currently ranks third in Coach of the Year odds behind Dan Campbell and Mike Tomlin. His operation has already blown away every win projection; the most common ones listed the Vikings as a 6.5-win team in the offseason.
All signs point toward O’Connell signing a new contract at some point in the near future, most likely during the offseason. He is building something special in Minnesota, and the decision-makers know that. Not many things can be ruled out in the NFL, but a deal that would send O’Connell to the Bears comes as close as it gets.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt