Kevin O’Connell Gets a Seat at the Table
Minnesota Vikings Kevin O’Connell received a bump in leaguewide prestige Thursday, promoted to the NFL’s Competition Committee, along with Houston Texans skipper DeMeco Ryans. O’Connell enters Year No. 5 in 2026, and it’s time for his seat at the big boy table.
O’Connell’s new committee seat adds clout, but it also keeps him squarely in the spotlight entering a pivotal 2026 season.
Meanwhile, O’Connell enters a pivotal year in Minnesota, one that will determine his long-term job security.
O’Connell Joins NFL’s Competition Committee for 2026
Good news for O’Connell in a so-far weird offseason.
O’Connell Joins Competition Committee
Vikings fans didn’t know that O’Connell was in the running for the committee, so the news caught them off guard Thursday — in a good way.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote, “The NFL has added two current head coaches to the league’s Competition Committee. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans are the new additions to the group. Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott is no longer on the 11-person committee.”
“Broncos head coach Sean Payton and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel also joined the group this year. Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and former Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier joined McDermott in leaving the group.”
The Vikings now have a voting voice among the key players who call the shots.
What Is the Competition Committee?
Unfamiliar with the committee? NFL.com has answers: “The Competition Committee’s actions are based, in part, on feedback from a variety of sources. At the end of each season, the 32 NFL clubs fill out a survey, answering questions about player protection, officiating, competitive balance and technology.”
“Leading up to the National Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, NFL Football Operations meets with coaches, general managers, players and NCAA representatives to gather their input about potential changes to the rules. There is also a review of data on injuries, instant replay and technology.”
The group basically determines what gets a vote from all NFL owners — and what gets tabled.
NFL.com added, “After the combine, the committee reconvenes to review video, draft rule proposals and positions, discuss proposals submitted by clubs and prepare its report of supporting statistics for the membership to discuss and vote on at the league’s annual meeting. At the annual meeting, the Competition Committee presents a report of its findings to the 32 owners, who vote on any proposed new rules or rule changes.”
“To be adopted, a new rule or a revision must have the support of 75 percent of the owners (24 yes votes out of 32 clubs). During the season, the committee meets occasionally by conference call or in person to review current issues in the game and to begin to discuss potential agenda items for the next year’s meeting.”
O’Connell and committee mates essentially set the agenda for change when applicable.
Committee Members
Believe it not, this is a prestigious development for O’Connell — not just a token honor or lifetime achievement. These are the group’s members:
- Rich McKay (Co-Chairman) — Atlanta Falcons
- Stephen Jones (Co-Chairman) — Dallas Cowboys
- Katie Blackburn — Cincinnati Bengals
- Todd Bowles —Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- John Lynch — San Francisco 49ers
- John Mara — New York Giants
- Sean McVay — Los Angeles Rams
- Kevin O’Connell — Minnesota Vikings
- Sean Payton — Denver Broncos
- DeMeco Ryans — Houston Texans
- Mike Vrabel — New England Patriots
That’s a who’s who of NFL power before the owners lay down the long arm of the law.
A Big 2026 Ahead for O’Connell
Three weeks ago, the Vikings shockingly fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, while keeping O’Connell employed and appearing to promote O’Connell as a de facto personnel GM. Accordingly, most believe the coach must deliver results in 2026 or risk hot-seat chatter.
O’Connell’s runway is getting shorter. He has led Minnesota to the playoffs twice in four seasons, a tangible accomplishment. However, a postseason victory remains elusive. The franchise hasn’t experienced one since Kyle Rudolph’s Superdome heroics against the New Orleans Saints six years ago, and the drought is becoming increasingly burdensome.
The mandate for 2026 is clear: solidify the quarterback position — either by fully embracing J.J. McCarthy or providing him with reliable support and competition — achieve at least nine wins, and, most importantly, secure a playoff win. Without that January breakthrough, O’Connell’s margin for error will rapidly shrink.
All that said, the Vikings now have a member of the Competition Committee in the house. O’Connell will now have a say in matters such as banning the Tush Push, clarifying the “Catch Rule,” and expanding instant replay. It will be O’Connell’s job, in part, to decide if the issues deserve a vote.
Minnesota extended O’Connell’s contract in January 2025. He won the league’s Coach of the Year award in 2024.
You must be logged in to post a comment.