National Site Drops Offseason Praise on Kevin O’Connell

“He’s maximized every quarterback to throw a pass under his watch, which bodes well for J.J. McCarthy, who’s also got an elite supporting cast. Only a brutal 2025 schedule might slow them down.”

Most coach contracts are shrouded in mystery, but the working theory is that O’Connell is now attached to Minnesota through the end of 2029, and his deal is said to be worth $12 million to $13 million per season.

The Criteria

Here’s how Benjamin defined his offseason move criteria: “The 2025 NFL offseason isn’t over yet. In fact, in some ways, it’s just getting started. Splashy veteran additions, whether via trade or free agency, are finally hitting the field with new teams.”

“First-time head coaches and incoming rookies are settling into their own new gigs, hoping to carve out winning habits this spring. With minicamps and training camps around the corner, however, we at least have some sense of how all 32 teams will look come September. A few more blockbuster deals may yet arrive. A slew of intense camp battles are sure to unfold.”

A “coach trade rumor mill” actually sprang up regarding O’Connell in early January, so Minnesota’s ownership was quick to extend O’Connell when the 2024 season ended.

Benjamin added, “Most starting lineups are pretty much established, though, which means it’s a fair time to review the offseason’s biggest moves. Which signings, trades, draft picks and staffing changes register as the best of the best across the conference? Here are our favorite picks for each team as we head into the summer.”

CBS Sports says O’Connell’s deal bests any offseason move in 2025, even topping player acquisitions.

Kevin O’Connell Extension a No-Brainer

While Benjamin may not be wrong about the impactful O’Connell extension, his deal was a complete no-brainer. Since he arrived in the Twin Cities, Minnesota has the NFL’s sixth-best record per win percentage. And he’s done so as his boss, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, totally rebuilt the roster on the fly via a “competitive rebuild.”

lost in the postseason to the Los Angeles Rams.

Overseeing J.J. McCarthy’s Entire Rookie Contract

With O’Connell’s extension in the bag, he will now oversee all of J.J. McCarthy’s rookie contract, Minnesota’s one big hope to capitalize on a Super Bowl-caliber depth chart.

Ryan Kelly, in addition to drafting Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1.

Those five moves would probably register on most fans’ radar.

Benjamin said about the Vikings’ foremost rival, the Packers’ top offseason move: “Drafting Matthew Golden. There’s no denying the fun factor of the Packers waiting until the draft was in Green Bay to break a more-than-20-year streak of forgoing first-round wide receiver picks.”

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker