A stunning report Sunday threw a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the Vikings as they prepare for the NFL playoffs.
Jay Glazer reported on “Fox NFL Sunday” that multiple teams are interested in trying to trade for Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell this offseason as the 39-year-old will enter the final year of his contract.
O’Connell was asked about the report Monday and expressed a desire to remain in Minnesota.
“I’m not really interested in kind of, I guess I should say, addressing the rumors or speculation,” O’Connell told reporters. “What I can tell you is I love this team. I love everything about this organization. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to keep coaching and leading.”
The Wilf family, which owns the Vikings, has “no interest” in trading O’Connell, according to ESPN.
O’Connell tried to distance himself from the Fox Sports report with his team readying to visit the Rams in the wild-card round after losing to the Lions Sunday night. Detroit captured the No. 1 seed and the NFC North title with the victory.
“[I’m not interested] in any conversations in my opinion at this point that really aren’t about the Rams and the task at hand,” O’Connell said, per ESPN, “and my personal responsibility to lead immediate improvement off of [Sunday] but also capitalizing on the opportunity to be in the tournament. [That’s] my sole focus at this point.”
The Vikings went 13-4 in O’Connell’s first season at the helm in 2022 and won the division, but they were upset by the Giants in the wild-card round.
They went 7-10 last season after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles but rebounded to a 14-3 campaign in 2024 behind the resurgence of Sam Darnold, who threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games.
O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator for two years before he was hired by the Vikings.
The Rams were the only team other than the Lions to beat the Vikings this season.
Their playoff matchup will kick off Monday at 8 p.m.
