Kevin O’Connell Wasted No Time Delivering Legendary Message

Monday Night Football was a perfect opportunity for the Minnesota Vikings to show off their shiny new toy to the NFL world. J.J. McCarthy made his NFL debut, and thus became the youngest starting quarterback in the league.

It was a slow burn for most of the game, as Minnesota tripped over themselves out of the gate. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, being that Kevin O’Connell didn’t have much of a dress rehearsal for his team during the preseason.

There was a legendary moment that came late in the game however, when McCarthy stepped up and asked men multiple years his senior, “Where would you rather be?” In a way, it grounded them, and reminded them why they play the game they love. That moment though, was a microcosm of coaching that O’Connell has bestowed upon him in the last year-and-a-half.

Minnesota Vikings face adversity with strong leadership

When Coach Bud Grant passed, Kevin O’Connell shared just how impactful the time he had spent around the legendary Viking was to him. Many of those same leadership characteristics can be seen in the current head to this day. With his team facing adversity against the Chicago Bears, O’Connell did what he always does. He lead.

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“Told you you’d do that right there. Not surprised at all. So as we go, I’m just going to need you to continue to manage this thing right for me. Because I might still give you some chances, real chances. And then just keep running the show. That’s what we’re doing better right now. Everything is more efficient because you’re driving the ship. You’re doing great man, I’m so f*cking proud of you.”

Kevin O’Connell

The Vikings head coach is talking to a 22-year-old kid in his first professional game. McCarthy has the weight of his team on his shoulders, and is looking to complete a comeback that he helped to widen the gap between. O’Connell meets him in that moment, and imparts a level of confidence that anyone could hope to draw aspiration from.

It has been evident for years that Kevin O’Connell is special. The way in which he has collaborated with Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, or Sam Darnold. Minnesota made a coaching hire that legitimately has translated into tangible production both on the field, and between the ears of those that he interacts with.

Related: One Year Around Bud Grant Shaped Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell

Obviously, the players on the field have to execute and continue to find ways to get the job done. It should not be a surprise though, that O’Connell owns a 35-17 career coaching record, and that his lone setback of a season was still a 7-10 result where he had to navigate four different starting quarterbacks.

For the duration of the franchise’s existence, Minnesota Vikings fans have hoped for the sweet taste of a Super Bowl victory. The roster is currently set up well to get them there, but the leadership from the top is better positioned than it has been maybe ever before.