Insider Links Vikings to Super Bowl-Winning Head Coach for ‘Simple Reason’
Under head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Minnesota Vikings are 20-14 in their first two seasons. His record is strengthened by their 13–4 record in 2022, his first season in charge.
Nothing has emerged to imply that he will be under scrutiny come 2024. However, given the Vikings’ 7-10 record from the previous season and the chance for a potential upgrade, it’s possible that O’Connell is under more pressure than first appears.
“Bill Belichick apparently will go 0-for-7 when it comes to finding a head-coaching job in 2024,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on January 28. “If, as it appears, nothing materializes in Seattle or Washington or elsewhere, what will happen in 2025?” Florio lists the Vikings along with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as potential landing spots for Belichick.
Florio went on, “The Vikings are there for a very straightforward reason. When Zygi Wilf acquired the Vikings, he was an avid supporter of the Giants. Zygi and Mark Wilf might fall in love with the notion of giving Belichick a chance to lead the mediocre Vikings to the summit of the mountain the team has been attempting to climb for more than 50 years.
Ownership’s claim to be a “family-oriented” company could buy O’Connell some time. However, Belichick’s résumé—which includes six Super Bowl victories—is undoubtedly the best in NFL history and stands out among the candidates running for head coach in 2025.
Florio stated, “The control question will continue to loom over Belichick’s prospects.” Will he desire the keys to run the football team? If so, will the owner be willing to make room for Belichick by moving furniture around or reassigning current employees?
The last head coach of the Vikings to serve as general manager was the late Dennis Green. It is more typical for head coaches to influence the selection of the general manager. That too is not common.
Florio said that Belichick had a hard time finding and nurturing talent in recent years. Given that the Patriots have gone 12-22 in their previous two seasons under Belichick’s leadership in both areas, this presents a clear risk. Florio thinks that when Belichick makes his next stop, anything less than total control could result in “full-blown chaos.”
However, things might work out better still if Belichick ends up coaching the Vikings in 2025.
Following the team’s 1-4 start to the previous season, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah came under fire after a difficult first draft class. Kirk Cousins’ season was essentially ended by a torn Achilles before the Vikings won four of his final five starts.
In their NFL debut, Adofo-Mensah’s second draft class also fell short of expectations.
The Vikings might sweep the team if they have a bad season and another subpar class.
Even in that scenario, ownership might still believe that signing Belichick is the best way to contend for a championship. Then, it might come down to Belichick’s interest level in accepting the position.
