The Minnesota Vikings have gone 34-17 since Kevin O’Connell took over in 2022. They’ve accomplished this despite starting five different quarterbacks over that period.
Not only has O’Connell done this by setting a culture in Minnesota, but he’s called the plays on offense since taking the job. He helped Kirk Cousins set a league record for most comebacks in a season. In 2023, he gave Josh Dobbs step-by-step instructions days after acquiring him in a trade to lead a comeback against the Atlanta Falcons. He also helped Sam Darnold get to his first Pro Bowl last year.
So, where does O’Connell rank among NFL play-callers? Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team recently ranked all 28 coaches with play-calling experience. O’Connell finished fourth in the ranking.
The 2024 Coach of the Year has been one of the league’s most creative play-callers during his Minnesota tenure. He had the best and most expansive menu of creating space on crossers and that expanded to outs and digs with Sam Darnold at quarterback.
The O’Connell offense, a branch from the [Sean] McVay tree, has excelled at creating space and easy throws for quarterbacks, which could be what the offense leans on if there is a transition to J.J. McCarthy this offseason.
Kyle Shanahan finished first in the rank, followed by McVay at No. 2 and Matt LaFleur at No. 3. O’Connell finished one spot ahead of Andy Reid. It should also be noted that the new Chicago Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, finished sixth, making the NFC North the hottest division for offensive play-calling (Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, John Morton, was ranked 28th).
What can O’Connell do with McCarthy at the helm? 2025 will indeed have some growing pains, as it will be McCarthy’s first time starting in the league. But suppose he can prove to be a franchise quarterback. In that case, McCarthy will be in Minnesota for a long time, allowing O’Connell to build on his offense instead of constantly introducing it to a new quarterback. Perhaps we have yet to see the best from O’Connell.