RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Vikings and head coach Kevin O'Connell have a great relationship.
He has worked well with whoever is in the front office at this point; he adjusts his coaching to the roster he is given, and he wins. What more could a team want from a head coach? Perhaps some success in the playoffs wouldn't hurt?
ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote recently about the need for a playoff win for O'Connell and the Vikings. He discussed the various examples and situations around the scenario facing the team and their head coach if success isn't found in 2026.
Seifert writes, "This outcome would complicate O'Connell's tenure but not necessarily end it. During his first four seasons, O'Connell won an NFL Coach of the Year award (2024) and collected 43 regular-season wins, tied for fifth most in the NFL over that period. But he is winless in two playoff appearances, and there is a relatively short list of recent NFL coaches who made it to a sixth season without first winning a playoff game."
The former Coach of the Year is among the best in his profession; no one is debating that. What needs to happen, though, as it does with any coach, is success in the playoffs. Without that, the seat is inevitably going to heat up a bit.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: What happens if Kevin O'Connell can't win a playoff game in 2026?
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