KOC ~ Most Underrated Offensive Play Caller
https://thevikingage.com/nfl-relearn-kevin-oconnell-lesson-minnesota-vikings-fans-know
A year ago, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football. He was dubbed a "quarterback whisperer" after producing quality offenses with the likes of Josh Dobbs and Sam Darnold.
After a down year with J.J. McCarthy taking over at quarterback, the NFL seems to have forgotten the first three seasons of O'Connell's Vikings tenure.
In The Athletic's recent ranking of the top 10 offensive play callers in the league, as voted on by defensive coaches, Minnesota's head coach only received an honorable mention. He ranked fifth heading into the 2025 season.
With a more talented quarterback at his disposal (assuming Kyler Murray wins the ongoing position battle), O'Connell can remind the rest of the league just how dangerous he can be.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has become the NFL's most underrated offensive play caller
In O'Connell's first three seasons in charge, the Vikings' offense ranked within the top ten twice in scoring and twice in yards. He has won games with the likes of Dobbs, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
The offense has never reached elite territory, but how could it with the limited talent O'Connell has had at quarterback? It's impressive that he was able to keep the unit afloat for so long.
O'Connell does deserve a portion of the blame for the McCarthy experience. He was part of the regime that drafted the young QB with limited collegiate starts under his belt, and he wasn't able to put together a functional offense with him under center. The Vikings' offense ranked 26th in points, 28th in yards, and 28th in EPA per play last season.
It's more than fair to drop O'Connell in play-caller rankings. But pushing him out of the top ten entirely is a bit reactionary. Klint Kubiak made the cut after one season of production with the Seattle Seahawks, with one coach saying that he's "doing a hell of a job designing plays."
Should his one impressive season weigh more heavily than O'Connell's three?
With a healthy offensive line and improved quarterback play, O'Connell's unit has every reason to return to the league's top ten this season. There aren't any more excuses. It's time for the head coach to prove how valuable he can be in the right situation.
If he can put it all together, the Vikings coach will make the rest of the NFL look silly for doubting him.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Love to see what he can do with some competence and continuity at QB.
"Among Viking fans, optimism is an act of defiance." MaroonBells
MaroonBells wrote:
Love to see what he can do with some competence and continuity at QB.
Well.....his history with Minnesota says with that, he'll rock it. Looking forward to playing tough and well against the good teams, hopefully fighting for the NFCN crown. Competence is one thing, continuity is the real dream. My optimistic side with K1 says his escapability and mobility are going to really open up some downfield shots with these WRers. They get open as it is.....add 2 or 3 seconds? Potential wowzer time.
Can call KOC a lot of things, but under-rated player caller just aint one of em...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I think it's hard to call KOC a top play caller. His offenses have been closer to 10th than the top. He's had a top tier set of tackles and skill position players the whole time and a pretty decent IOL. He's had 1.5 years of QBs that have played better than their historical norms.
I think it's fair to say that he's a one trick pony that has had a pretty good one trick when the whole offense was stacked with talent and he hasn't really overcome that when there's been deficiencies. He hasn't really ever had the offense be multiple enough to pivot when his preferred scheme was taken away.
One area where I think he deserves a lot of credit is the end of game scripts. If you need a quick score against prevent defense, I think he's at the top of league regarding playcalling there.
I think he's a much better head coach than playcaller. I also think Flores is doing a lot of work in getting wins despite all the talent being offensive side of the ball.
I think this is going to be a very make or break season for KOC. I think if he tries to force Kyler into his one true scheme and it doesn't work, he will lose a lot of the offensive mastermind luster. If he pivots his scheme to be more Kyler friendly, and it does work, I think he'll have earned a lot more respect from the handful of us that are a little more skeptical of the positive marketing on him.
Give him an even competent QB and I'll take my chances with him calling out a play that'll work...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I couldn't be happier with KOC as a head coach and play caller. I'm mostly convinced we have our HC for the long term. He has weaknesses as both, which many of us have pointed out, but name one who doesn't.
The Athletic recently called Kyle Shanahan the NFL's best play caller. But he sure as shootin' ain't perfect either. If you read through the following, you'll recognize some of the same complaints fans of every team have been bitching about for decades when it comes to their play caller.
Big Game Collapses
Super Bowl Blunders: Blew a 28-3 lead as the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator and surrendered double-digit leads in subsequent Super Bowl appearances as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. [1, 2]
Fourth Quarter Struggles: Teams coached by him have been outscored significantly in the fourth quarter and overtime during his ultimate championship appearances. [1]
Play-Calling and Strategy
Abandoning the Run: Critics argue he tends to move away from a successful running game late in close contests, allowing opponents to stop the clock and mount comebacks. [1]
Overthinking Moments: Analysts and fans on platforms like Facebook suggest he can get too conservative or overly creative under intense pressure instead of sticking to what works. [1]
Roster and Expectations
"Among Viking fans, optimism is an act of defiance." MaroonBells
My thing is, that if you can't/wont run the ball with any type of real consistency...you are not going to win in the playoffs. It's that simple, it's proven, and you can look no further than last years playoffs. We have one of the lowest called run rates in the league under OConnell despite a decent average yards per attempt. That has to change, especially when you have injuries along the offensive line and there are major, major pass protection issues. Carson Wentz and his dislocated shoulder/torn labrum says hello!
I have no idea how this offense is going to look, but whomever the quarterback is, there has to be some semblance or commital by OConnell to establishing a consistent ground game and four years in, we have yet to see that.
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