Less than 24 hours after receiving a contract extension, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is receiving high praise from the NFL.
Despite the Vikings suffering another one-and-done in the playoffs, no one expected them to go 14-3 in the regular season and be one of the best teams in the league. For that, O'Connell was named NFC Coach of the Year The Committee of 101 revealed the 2024 recipients of the annual 101 Awards. The 101 Awards is the nation’s longest running awards program dedicated exclusively to the National Football League.
Not only did O'Connell guide Minnesota to their second best win total in franchise history, he also became the first head coach since at least 1950 to win 14 or more games in a season with a quarterback who is in his first year with a team.
On Tuesday, the Vikings and O’Connell agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension following the season that defied external widespread preseason projections of at least a losing record if not a last-place finish in the NFC North.
The Vikings didn’t disclose terms of the deal, which was reached with one year remaining on O’Connell’s existing contract. In three seasons with the Vikings, the 39-year-old O’Connell is 34-17 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs. He's led the team to two 13-win seasons already.
The lineup of other award winners announced Wednesday includes Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as AFC Offensive Player of the Year, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley as NFC Offensive Player of the Year, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II as AFC Defensive Player of the Year, Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph as NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid as AFC Coach of the Year.