Kevin O’Connell’s Favorite Player Just Became Available
The Minnesota Vikings are about to enter the 5th season under Kevin O’Connell’s watch. Shortly after arriving in the Twin Cities, the head coach brought some old friends from the Los Angeles Rams and other stints with him. In addition to several coaches, one of those was tight end Johnny Mundt.
Guess who just became available?
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported on social media, “The Jaguars are releasing veteran TE Johnny Mundt, per source. A top blocking tight end now on the market.”
A sweet blocker, indeed, and he can catch an occasional pass, too. O’Connell has been Mundt’s Number 1 fan over the years, almost blushing whenever he’s asked about the veteran tight end.
Prior to his last season with the team, O’Connell said about Mr. Mundt: “You guys know I’m always good for some Johnny Mundt talk. Every time you look up, he’s making a play. Sometimes noteworthy in the passing game, sometimes it’s just a great block, sometimes it’s the way Josh Oliver and him are working together. He’s just got such a good feel and poise. He always seems to be in the right spots, doing the right thing with great technique. Those players tend to be favorites of coaches. Johnny has been great. There’s a reason why he’s been here really every day since I’ve gotten here.”
Mundt ultimately spent three seasons with the Vikings. At first, he was just an unknown depth player, but he quickly emerged as a fan favorite when Irv Smith struggled in O’Connell’s first season. Even when T.J. Hockenson arrived, Mundt’s role remained.
In 2022, Mundt appeared in all 17 games and logged 12 starts, catching 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. His receiving numbers even topped the statistics he put up in his first five seasons in the league combined.
Though he didn’t start a single game in 2023 and technically dropped to 3rd on the depth chart after Josh Oliver’s arrival, he still caught 17 passes for 172 yards and a score. Year 3 with Sam Darnold throwing the rock resulted in another 19 receptions for 142 yards and even two touchdowns this time.
Assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski left for Jacksonville and he brought both Mundt and backup passer Nick Mullens with him. Mundt caught nine passes under Udinski and started six games. He signed a decent two-year, $5.5 million deal a year ago.
Now he’s back on the market, looking for a job. The Vikings should be interested. Why? Well, because O’Connell is still employed by the franchise.
Here’s what he said following Hockenson’s injury in 2023: “I think you’ll see Johnny (Mundt) a little more on some of those third downs. You guys have heard me talk about Johnny Mundt in the past and why we wanted to have him here and just his role and value is he’s really a jack of all trades kinda guy and he’s always taking reps right behind T.J. (Hockenson) when it’s critical pass game and he’s always ready to step in the way he did last week against Detroit.”
He also famously called Mundt the best TE3 in all of football.
And guess what the Vikings could use: A TE3. Hockenson will be around for another season and so will be Oliver. But behind them, the Vikings relied on rookie Ben Yurosek last season. Draftee Gavin Bartholomew missed the entire season with a back injury.
Mundt could just fit right in the way he used to in 2023 and 2024 — behind Hockenson and Oliver.
Players don’t always link up with past coaches, but if a coach is the biggest fan of a player, they tend to reunite over time.
Mundt is 31 and he’s unlikely to break the bank. Maybe he’s the special ingredient to the O’Connell offense and that’s why they struggled in 2025 (in addition to the quarterback play). A homecoming should be on the table.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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