Despite coming off a 13-win season three years ago and 14 wins last season, Minnesota Vikings fans have no idea what to expect game to game, season to season. Even Vegas struggles to get a read on how successful the Vikings will be every year.
Unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles, it’s uncertain that the Vikings will finish with a winning record. On the other hand, unlike the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings have played at least one playoff game since 2017.
Vikings fans typically react game to game because of the uncertain outcomes, riding the momentum of the season, fretting things could fall apart at any moment. Therefore, the team must establish a new, more positive standard. Expectations must change from Will the Vikings make the playoffs? to How far can they go?
Fortunately, Kevin O’Connell may have the makeup to change Minnesota’s standards, which has helped bring players into the organization this active free agency for the Vikings front office.
KOC has emphasized winning each week, going 1-0, and trying not to look too far ahead.
When O’Connell first came to Minnesota, he was coming off winning a Super Bowl and taking over a team that has been to only three NFC Conference Championship games since the 1998 heartache in OT. The Vikings last made the Super Bowl in 1977. Their last NFC Championship appearance was a 38-7 loss to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
KOC’s winning mindset and culture have become vital, even during tough times.
In O’Connell’s first year, he established that the Vikings would never give up on a game. Their Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills was a perfect example. The Vikings won 33-30 in overtime after Justin Jefferson’s one-handed catch, a fumble recovery touchdown, and crucial interceptions.
Little did Vikings fans know this would be the second-best game of the season. Five weeks later, the Vikings made history with the largest comeback in NFL history after being down 33-0 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings won 39-36 in OT, clinching the NFC North.
Year 2 saw an unexpected QB carousel after Kirk Cousins, in the final year of his contract, sustained a torn Achilles against the Packers in Week 8. Little did O’Connell know that injury helped in this winning mindset, showing that he could get the most out of career backups. Although the Vikings finished the season 3-6 with seven one-score games), one could argue that it was at this time that KOC was starting to earn the title of QB whisperer.
Last season emphasized KOC’s never-give-up, winning mindset. Last season’s struggles started before the opening kickoff to the season. The Vikings lost their 10th-overall pick, J.J. McCarthy, for the season with a knee injury. Vegas had Minnesota’s win total at 6.5. Still, KOC believed in this team from the start and propelled them to a surprising 14 wins and another playoff appearance.
This offseason has shown what that mindset means to those who have moved on from the Vikings and the impact it may have on the free agents coming in.
KOCs standard of winning, one could argue, lent a helping hand in Sam Darnold’s resurgence, helping him ink a new three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Brian Flores’ belief in the KOC system helped the very talented player and choreographer Camryn Bynum earn a four-year $60 million deal with the Colts.
The first few days of free agency showcased how Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could utilize KOC’s never-give-up mentality by bringing in and hanging on to some key players at key positions.
The Vikings were able to help bolster their interior offensive line by agreeing to terms with four-time Pro-Bowler center Ryan Kelly, signed for two years, $18 million, and guard Will Fries, signing for a long-term five years, $88 million. These two additions up front should help form holes for Aaron Jones, who signed a two-year $20 million extension, to run through.
The defense has also seen key additions, including two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, to help on the defensive line. The Vikings have been especially effective with defensive backs, as the Vikings have been able to find ways to get deals done with four of them, most notably hanging onto CB Byron Murphy Jr. and signing CB Isaiah Rodgers. The defensive backs also brought more depth with the re-signing of S Theo Jackson and S Bubba Bolden, who has yet to play an NFL snap after going undrafted in 2022.
KOC’s mentality has dovetailed with dodo-Mensah’s. The frenzy of moves early in the process highlights the players’ desire to sign with a player-friendly organization.
Since KOC took over head coaching duties, the Vikings have the sixth-most regular season wins in that time with 34. That’s only six wins behind the Chiefs. It’s also the most wins in franchise history in a three-season span of time since 1998 to 2000 seasons under Dennis Green, who had 36 wins during that span. KOC has the franchise record in his first three seasons with the team at 34-17.
Vikings fans hope winning seasons and playoff appearances become as routine in Minnesota as they are in Pittsburgh under Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have 18 consecutive seasons of being .500 or better.
KOC’s talent as a play-caller and head coach could be argued as one of the best in the business early in his career. His belief in the players in the room will further be a catalyst to bringing more talent into the organization as free agency continues this offseason. If he remains on this impressive path, Bud Grant won’t be the only Vikings head coach in the Hall of Fame.
