Big Clue Surfaces on Kevin O’Connell’s First Hire

Big Clue Surfaces on Kevin O'Connell's First Hire
Aubrey Pleasant

The Minnesota Vikings are embracing a full youth movement at leadership positions, evidenced by the hire of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.

And they may not be done.

On Monday, Aubrey Pleasant from the Detroit Lions was identified as a possible defensive coordinator on O’Connell’s new staff – and perhaps even a frontrunner.

Pleasant spent time with Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2020 as the cornerbacks coach, presumably where he brokered the relationship with O’Connell, the Rams current offensive coordinator. For now, Pleasant is the Lions defensive backs and passing game coach.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

At 36 years old, Pleasant would signify a full pivot to youth amid the Vikings organizational facelift, especially when older defensive coordinators are landing jobs with other teams not named Vikings. Wink Martindale, who previously coached defense for the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to sign with New York Giants.

The working theory suggested O’Connell would hire an experienced defensive coordinator because a) He’s brand new to the head coaching ranks b) O’Connell isn’t a defensive brain. But nope. If the Pleasant news goes through, the Vikings are doing young everything – a change of pace welcomed by many.

While Pleasant was the cornerbacks coach in Los Angeles (2017-2020), the Rams ranked second in the NFL for overall defensive efficiency per EPA/play. He knows what it’s like to coach a top NFL defense. And evidently, O’Connell recognizes that (if the hire occurs).

Pleasant’s Lions defense wasn’t very productive in 2021, ranking third-to-last in the business for EPA/play. Again, though, he was only in charge of the secondary – a group of defenders on a team outwardly rebuilding.

Also of note: the Rams and Lions run 3-4 defensive schemes. The Vikings, under Mike Zimmer, ran a 4-3. Minnesota is a longstanding 4-3 team, so a Pleasant addition could signal another paradigm shift. Many of the Vikings players on the roster only know a 4-3 defense, making a hypothetical transition very interesting. Who would stay and who would go?

To date, Pleasant has spent time with the Cleveland Browns (intern), Washington Commanders (defensive quality control), Los Angeles Rams (cornerbacks), Detroit Lions (secondary).

The news of O’Connell’s official hire should hit soon after Super Bowl LVI.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).


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