NFL Rumors: Kevin O'Connell Vikings Contract Extension 'Could Happen Soon'

Amid a surprisingly successful season, Kevin O'Connell is reportedly in line for a contract extension.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, an extension for the third-year head coach "could happen soon." O'Connell, who the Vikings hired ahead of the 2022 season, is under contract through the end of next season and would likely field plenty of offers should Minnesota forgo extending him.

O'Connell led Minnesota to a 13-4 record with a wild-card appearance in his first year at the helm two years ago but missed the playoffs last year amid a handful of injuries, including a season-ending torn Achilles for quarterback Kirk Cousins.

After Cousins' departure in free agency over the offseason, many expected the 2024 season to be another down year for the Vikings. The plan was to have Sam Darnold compete with rookie J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 spot, though things changed after McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury before the start of the season.

With no McCarthy, Darnold took over as the starter after serving as a backup in San Francisco in 2023.

From there, O'Connell and Darnold turned heads.

Darnold has had a career season with 3,776 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, leading Minnesota to a 13-2 record. Now the Vikings, once cast as a middle-of-the-pack squad, have the chance to win 15 games for just the second time in franchise history.

They'll face the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to close out the year before the playoffs, where they'll look to keep their magical season going.

If O'Connell somehow takes Minnesota to the Super Bowl, he'll likely have a lucrative extension waiting on him this offseason.