Balancing close relationships and the business side of the NFL is the hardest part of being a coach, according to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell—and he's experiencing that challenge firsthand as the Sam Darnold situation unfolds.

The Vikings could have tagged Darnold and tried to trade him to get a return, but The Athletic's Alec Lewis and ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted that teams would be unlikely to spend a draft pick on Darnold and then pay him.

Kevin O'Connell reflects on his time with the New England Patriots and how it helped him to become a head coach in the NFL

Head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed Darnold's future in light of not franchise-tagging him, which would not have benefited Minnesota if they kept him on the one-year, $40 million tag.

What does Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell think of Liam Coen and Grant Udinski leading the Jacksonville Jaguars offense?

The 2024 Coach of the Year has been one of the league’s most creative play-callers during his Minnesota tenure. He had the best and most expansive menu of creating space on crossers and that expanded to outs and digs with Sam Darnold at quarterback.

At the NFL Combine, Vikings' HC Kevin O'Connell described what the Jaguars are getting from new OC Grant Udinski.

Regardless, the shopping list there is going to be adequate, at best.

Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings have finally decided who their main quarterback will be. On Tuesday, the organization announced that it was not franchise-tagging Sam Darnold, making him a free agent and paving the way for the commencement of the JJ McCarthy era.

Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy is progressing and has his sights set on being back on the field this spring for the Vikings

Take a look inside the Lucas Oil Stadium suite used as the formal interview room, where 45 prospects will talk with coach Kevin O’Connell, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and others.

Balancing close relationships and the business side of the NFL is the hardest part of being a coach, according to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell—and he's experiencing that ...