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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the most surprising teams in the 2024 season, and in the three years since Kevin O'Connell took over. On the precipice of securing the NFC North title, the Vikings look to be the team to beat in the NFC apart from the Detroit Lions.
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O'Connell has done wonders with the team as a whole and players such as Sam Darnold. Darnold has emerged as a top quarterback after many believed his career was winding down.
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The Vikings head coach clearly has something special, and he is heading into the final year of his contract with the team. Due to this, reports have indicated that many NFL teams will attempt to trade for the coach in the offseason.
According to Ari Meirov by way of Jay Glazer, "Multiple teams have interest in possibly attempting to trade for #Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell, who will be in the final year of his contract next year and has had no extension talks, per Jay Glazer. Multiple teams have him on their board."
It is often that head coaches are involved in trade packages, but it has happened before.
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Jon Gruden was traded from the then-Oakland Raiders to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, $8 million. Bruce Arians was also traded from the Arizona Cardinals to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 for a sixth-round pick (the Bucs also got a seventh-rounder).
Even Bill Belichick was traded from the New York Jets to the New England Patriots in 2000 for a first-round pick, fourth-round pick, and seventh-round pick (Pats also got a fifth-rounder and seventh-rounder).
Should O'Connell not get an extension with the Vikings, the team might think about trading the highly touted head coach to secure some draft compensation. Minnesota used a first-round pick in 2024 to draft J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. Their other pick was used to secure Dallas Turner from Alabama.
With a strong core and Darnold potentially leaving for a team willing to give him a long-term contract, the Vikings could use more first-round picks to build around McCarthy.
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O'Connell would likely fetch a deal similar to Belichick, considering he is one of the best head coaches in the NFL right now.
It would be a bit strange if the Vikings did not offer him a multi-year contract, as he has helped completely turn around the team. Though they regressed 7-10 record in 2023, they are now 14-2 and are one win away from securing a 15-2 record and the NFC North title.
For more on the Vikings, head to Newsweek Sports.
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