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There seems to be a lot of steam building behind the Minnesota Vikings after the team made some changes in leadership for the first time in nearly a decade. The swift breath of fresh air that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have infused within the organization has people excited.
With the draft and free agency firmly in the rear view mirror, attentions have now shifted to on the field for the team and with that a lot of assessment and words to be shared about Kevin O'Connell as head coach and what that might look like for the Vikings in 2022.
O'Connell comes from the Sean McVay and Los Angeles Rams coaching tree which is sort of the top shelf of all coaching trees right now due to their exciting brand of football, aggressive actions with personnel and high flying offensive attack. It's assumed that O'Connell will be bringing at least some of that to Minnesota with him, and that idea is not only catching momentum here in Minnesota but also on the national scene.
Just this week, co-host of Good Morning Football Kyle Brandt staked his claim to the success of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings saying, "I’m predicting [the Vikings] to win the NFC North. I think the Vikings are going to win the division this year and that’s why I’m excited about them.”
He went on to share even more...
“You ever have a thing in the offseason, you just fall in love with the team and you’re not even sure why and you’re just keep talking about them? … I’ve said this a thousand times this offseason, I am really excited about the 2022 Vikings. Mostly because of Kevin O’Connell. I think they got one of those little McVay Russian nesting dolls that everyone’s trying to get. They got theirs, their offense is going to be amazing.”
However you feel about Brandt and programs like GMFB that throw all sorts of predictions around, the Minnesota Vikings are no longer located in fly-over country when it comes to the national NFL media. With players like Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook in the mix put together with up and coming offensive minds, you start to turn some heads.
Now, it's still VERY early in the process and there's not a single person alive that could confidently assure you that O'Connell will turn into a successful NFL coach. It's not that easy, but the promise and the excitement is certainly there from the fans and players alike. And right now, in the middle of the summer that's pretty stinking fun!