There’s a Horrible Trade Theory for Vikings
Have you ever pondered a Kevin O’Connell trade — yes, a head coach trade — to the Chicago Bears?
There’s a Horrible Trade Theory for Vikings
ESPN has.
That’s the latest and greatest from ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, a senior NFL writer for the sports media giant. Put plainly, she thinks the Bears should inquire with the Vikings and trade for O’Connell.
Kahler tweeted Monday, “This is going to sound crazy, but the Bears need to think crazy. They should trade for Kevin O’Connell. Caleb and KOC love each other. I don’t know if the Vikings would ever part with him, but Chicago should at least try. Added bonus: I believe his agent is Trace Armstrong.”
There’s basically a zero chance of that happening, further solidifying the popular internet slogan, “There’s a take for everything.”
Foremost, coach trades are incredibly rare, mostly disqualifying the Vikings from participating in such a deal. Secondarily, Minnesota’s brass loves O’Connell, and dumping him off to a division rival is about as mind-boggling as it gets. It’s almost too far-fetched from a sports movie script.
She also retweeted a post from 670 The Score, “Pro Football Talk believes it would be wise for the Bears to inquire about the draft pick compensation that it would take to pry Kyle Shanahan away from the 49ers.” Kahler added, “TRADE FOR A COACH! Let’s get it going.”
Meanwhile, with further evidence to discount Kahler’s theory, Minnesota will likely extend O’Connell’s contract at the start of the offseason. Thanks to Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters, more information is available about the specifics of the impending agreement. Long story short — O’Connell will be paid handsomely.
“It’s probably still too early to offer Vikings QB Sam Darnold a contract extension now. The same for coach Kevin O’Connell, although it seems certain he’ll eventually receive a deal that could nearly double his current salary, estimated at $5 million a year. O’Connell, 39, is signed through 2025,” Walters wrote last weekend.
O’Connell ranks third in NFL Coach of the Year odds through 13 weeks with a +400 moneyline, trailing Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions (+120) and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers (+400).
Since O’Connell and his boss, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, took over the organization in 2022, the Vikings rank sixth leaguewide in win percentage, tabulating a 30-16 (.652) record. Ironically, that’s the same win-loss mark as the San Francisco 49ers in the timeframe — the team that initially discovered Adofo-Mensah and molded him into an NFL executive.
On O’Connell, the team’s fan base has wondered when the organization will lock up O’Connell for the long haul. Per KSTP’s Darren Wolfson last month, the organization actively wants to extend O’Connell, though any in-season dealings would’ve occurred by now. It’s evidently a matter for the 2025 calendar.
Wolfson said in November on SKOR North airwaves, “If it was going to happen in-season, it would’ve happened bye week… after starting off 5-0.”
He also stated, “It’s going to happen. I can’t stress enough. This organization thinks the world of Kevin O’Connell.”
The verdict? O’Connell won’t be traded, even if a prominent ESPN voice floats the endorsement. It just won’t happen.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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