Kevin O’Connell’s contract talks are taking center stage in Minnesota

Free agency happens in March. Draft, April. For the rest of January, the challenge for the Vikings will be determining the long-term future of coach Kevin O’Connell.

He received a long-term extension. Yes, the pressure is mounting on him to win the playoff. But he is the first coach in franchise history with multiple 13-win seasons. He has only been on the job for three years.

Week 18 Splash Sunday! The report sent by Jay Glazer that multiple teams were interested in trading for O’Connell was not empty talk. There is tension in the relationship, largely stemming from the fact that he did not receive an extension beyond his second season. Now one year into free agency, he might be willing to let her spread out, if necessary, and put her on the market.

Yes, it rarely happens. There is certainly a lot more than just a whiff of collusion when it comes to the NFL and coaches. There is no maximum salary, but there is also no minimum salary. And there is no union. The 32 teams could engage in subtle efforts, or otherwise, to keep the market down, with the only downside being that there is little chance a coach could risk his career by suing the league and its teams for antitrust violations.

But if O’Connell chooses to bet on himself for another year, he could end up getting a lot more from another team than the Vikings will offer.

Entering the final Sunday of the regular season, his earning potential was as high as it could be. The last two matches left a mark on him. While the impact on O’Connell will be (and should be) less than it will be (and should be) on quarterback Sam Darnold, the dynamics have changed in the wake of the 31-9 loss to the Lions and 27-9 loss to the Rams.

Here’s the question. Will the two sides agree on the consequences of the two-match collapse? If the Vikings overplay their hand, O’Connell can always say, “Fuck it.” Then he can voluntarily train as a lame duck and make himself available to anyone/everyone in 2026.

Beyond the money, O’Connell may be looking for a bigger role in roster construction. To improve compatibility with the General Manager. In a situation where he will have more of what he needs to put together a team that can make the playoffs and win when the postseason arrives.

If it comes to a dead end, the Vikings will have to choose between an extra year and no compensation on the back end and listen to what teams might call about O’Connell.

It’s not clear what another team would offer, or what the Vikings want. But it’s worth watching.

Coincidentally or not, the Jets have interviewed for the Broncos’ vacant general manager position with Doug Moje. Moje and O’Connell played college football together at San Diego State. They were roommates.

So O’Connell’s contract should be the first order of business for the Vikings, postseason. Will an agreement be reached? Will they keep him for another year and allow him to become a free agent? Or will they take the best offer they can get and start looking for a replacement?

On the surface, O’Connell appears to be too good of a character to play hardball. But his father, Bill, is the retired FBI agent who had him Role in bringing down John Gotti. It is in the family DNA that intelligence matches the rich and powerful. And if the Wilfs don’t offer Kevin the kind of deal he’s looking for, they may soon discover they’ve met their match.

Will they blink? Will they kick? However, it’s not a very quiet story and it could get a lot louder soon.