Apparently, Kevin O’Connell is the Worst Head Coach in the NFC North
Kevin O’Connell, while having no playoff success whatsoever, has been a solid head coach during his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings.
He’s been dealt a less-than-ideal hand in many circumstances, as in two of his four years in Minnesota, he’s had to play at least three different starting QBs. This happened in 2023 with Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall, and Nick Mullens, as well in 2025 with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Add in 2022 with Cousins and 2024 with Darnold, and O’Connell has had to start eight QBs in his four seasons, including seven in 2023 and 2025 alone.
I’m not sure how well most teams are going to do with that happening, but Kevin O’Connell has been having to make do. Still, he has a case for being the worst current head coach in the NFC North.
Kevin O’Connell Named the Worst Head Coach in NFC North by Packers Writer
We are going to try to ignore the bias from Packers writer Freddie Boston of FanSided, especially given that he named Packers head coach Matt LaFleur as the best head coach in the NFC North. I can’t make too many complaints about LaFleur being in front of O’Connell, but putting LaFleur in first altogether is certainly a choice.
Either way, this isn’t about LaFleur, this about the guy that has zero playoff wins in two appearances. To be fair, Boston did throw O’Connell a bone by saying “someone had to go in last” and that there is “no doubting O’Connell’s track record with QBs”. That statement, of course, is in regards to the 2022 season with Kirk Cousins and 2024 season with Sam Darnold.
Boston then detailed about what has been holding O’Connell back:
“For starters, it’s the inconsistency. In 2022 and 2024, the Vikings went a combined 27-7 and won two NFC North titles. But in 2023 and 2025 combined, they went 16-18 with no playoff appearances.
The biggest concern is their inability to push on once they reach the playoffs. In 2022, the Vikings went 13-4 but suffered a shock first-round exit at home to the New York Giants. In 2024, despite the Vikings dominating in the regular season with a 14-3 record, the Los Angeles Rams ended their season with a comfortable 27-9 win in the wild-card round.”
These criticisms are mostly fair. In the seasons where the Vikings did well under Kevin O’Connell, they basically pretty much disappeared in the end. In 2022, it may be fair to layer some blame on to then-DC Ed Donatell, who made Daniel Jones look like prime Patrick Mahomes. However, in 2024, the Vikings completely disappeared in Week 18 against the Lions in a game for the NFC North title, and in the Wild Card round the next week against the Rams. Many people put that on Sam Darnold, but it’s fair to put the majority of the blame for an entire team being completely unprepared on the head coach.
Kevin O’Connell Needs Success in 2026
Success is a relative term. However, when you take a look at Kevin O’Connell’s tenure in Minnesota so far, it’s fair to say that “success” going forward would have to come in the form of some playoff wins.
O’Connell is going into his fifth season as the Vikings head coach, and we’re still waiting on a playoff win. The last time the Vikings won a playoff game is now over six calendar years ago, when the Zimmer-led Vikings walked into New Orleans and took down a red-hot Saints team.
So, is there reason to have faith in O’Connell? Absolutely.
When the QB that was named starter before the season starts a game (Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy), the O’Connell-led Vikings are 31-15. It breaks down like this:
- Kirk Cousins: 17-8
- Sam Darnold: 14-3
- J.J. McCarthy: 6-4
Cousins technically didn’t finish his 17th win in his final game with the Vikings where he tore his Achilles, and J.J. McCarthy didn’t finish two of his six wins. Still, when the Vikings have the guy in there that is supposed to actually lead the team until at least halftime, O’Connell usually wins.
He needs a season of health, and he needs a postseason with victories.
