Kevin O’Connell Vows to Shuffle Snaps to Recently-Promoted Player
Starting safety Josh Metellus is done for the year. So, there’s an opening for someone.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell sees opportunity for Jay Ward. The third-year defender has been getting more and more snaps lately, but shutting down a full-time player opens a treasure trove of snaps for Ward to inherit, as O’Connell suggests, “I think you’ll see Jay Ward in a little bit more in some of those packages […] I think it’ll be a great opportunity for him to continue building upon the positive things he’s been doing.” O’Connell then describes how replacing Metellus is “really a Jay Ward thing,” meaning the young fella is auditioning for a starter’s job in 2026.
Kevin O’Connell, Jay Ward, & The Chance on Defense
If the expected occurs, Harrison Smith will retire. Minnesota will therefore move into the ’26 season with a trio of safeties under contract: Metellus, Ward, and Theo Jackson.
The cluster of safety talent is reasonably strong but absent of a game-changing stud. Expect Metellus to bounce back next year, returning to being very good rather than just average. So, too, should Jackson be better than the current version of himself. What would make a massive difference, though, is a top-tier option to occupy that S1 spot.
Admittedly, there’s some foolishness in expecting Ward to become the top player at the position. After all, he was a 4th-Round selection in 2023 who has been almost exclusively a backup within his career. Going in the middle of the draft alongside being a backup for several seasons tempers the expectations a touch.
Still, there’s upside in the unknown.
Ward has great length and speed. He’s very capable of timing blitzes well, making him a weapon when lined up as a corner. He could either carry his man down the field, drop into a zone, or pin his ears back to get into the backfield. Look for him to get sent a time or two in an effort to corral the elusive Jaxson Dart on Sunday.
The 2025 season has seen Jay Ward pickup a pair of starts within fourteen games. There have been 120 defensive snaps alongside 270 special teams snaps. The stats show 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 fumble recovered.
Per PFF, Ward has put in 45 snaps at free safety. There has then been 24 snaps as a wide corner, 24 snaps in the box, 22 snaps as a slot corner, and 5 snaps along the d-line. Ward is proving to be the ultra versatile safety whom Brian Flores covets.
On Sunday, the 6-8 Vikings will be in New York to take on the 2-12 Giants. Not exactly a game of NFL heavyweights.
What’s going to be fascinating, though, is in the play of players such as Jay Ward. Look for the defensive back to get sent a time or two on blitzes. He should get shuffled around the secondary and should offer physicality as a tackler. Do those things and he’ll be someone who offers upside going into the ’26 season.
At 25, Mr. Ward is still an ascending player. He stands at 6’1″ and weighs 190 pounds. Next year is his final one under contract.
