LA Rams OC Kevin O'Connell to become Minnesota Vikings coach
Kevin O'Connell is to be appointed as the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, ESPN says.
Kevin O'Connell will be announced as the Minnesota Vikings' new head coach this week, ESPN reports.
An announcement has been delayed to this point due to the Los Angeles offensive coordinator's involvement in the postseason with his current team.
But after the Rams' playoff run ended with victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at their SoFi Stadium home on Sunday, the Vikings have been cleared to name their man.
Vikings expected to confirm O'Connell on Thursday
O'Connell will be introduced on Thursday, following the Rams' team meetings and exit interviews on Tuesday and victory parade in LA on Wednesday.
He joined the Rams in 2020 from Washington and helped lead Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. to the championship this year.
Although Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was said to be among the interviewees who missed out on the Vikings job, O'Connell's departure means Sean McVay will have to bring in a key member of coaching staff for the second time in two years; Brandon Staley, Morris' predecessor as DC, went to the Los Angeles Chargers last year.
Rams tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Wes Phillips will also have a role on O'Connell's staff, the ESPN report said.
Rams' Beckham set for another lengthy absence after suffering second ACL tear
The next Rams OC will not immediately get the opportunity to work with Beckham, regardless of any agreement with the team as he enters free agency.
Beckham, a midseason arrival from the Cleveland Browns, sustained a knee injury in the first half of the Super Bowl, which is now said to be his second ACL tear in the same knee in two seasons.
The wide receiver, who has said he would be willing to accept a pay cut to stay with the Rams, again faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The make-up of the rest of the team is far from certain, too, with superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald delaying any decision on his future after finally winning a ring.
McVay, the youngest ever Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been similarly non-committal.