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.

Mike Florio breaks down Vikings' rumored plan to franchise tag Sam Darnold and explains its potential impact on Kevin O’Connell’s credibility.

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

JJ McCarthy was the first 1st-round QB ever to miss his entire rookie season to injury. But his head coach made sure they year wasn't wasted.

Athletes at the NFL Combine get bigger, faster, and stronger every year. But Kevin O'Connell, who participated in the 2008 Combine and was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in that draft, can hold bragging rights over the Minnesota Vikings quarterback room.

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.

Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in last year's free agency. He went on to have the best season of his career and was in a position to get a lucrative deal this offseason.

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.

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

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

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' loss to the Lakers on Thursday, which had a number of subplots. He was joined by Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling, who has all sorts of updates from the scouting combine in Indianapolis.