NFL analysts put Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on a path a lot of people don’t see him taking

When trying to project out the 2024 Minnesota Vikings season, you get a lot of different opinions. Some opinions believe the Vikings will make a run at the NFC North but the betting odds have the Vikings winning around 6.5 games.

They are a tough team to gauge because of their quarterback situation. Sam Darnold hasn't been great in his six-year career and J.J. McCarthy isn't quite ready to take the starting job.

The one constant that has some believing in the Vikings is head coach Kevin O'Connell.

ESPN analysts love Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell for coach of the year

The presence of O'Connell is the biggest factor for any success the Vikings will have in 2024 and beyond. This is the same head coach that helped Josh Dobbs win a game against the Atlanta Falcons through the headset running his complex offense.

If the Vikings have the kind of success that would warrant a playoff run, that credit will likely go to O'Connell. When discussing coach of the year candidates, ESPN's Mina Kimes and Benjamin Solak love the idea of O'Connell winning coach of the year.

"One of the first bets I threw this season was Kevin O'Connell, Coach of the Year. Absolutely he's gonna He's gonna cure Darnold and go to the playoffs," said Solak.

"Whether he cures Darnold or JJ McCarthy looks good in his offense. He benefits from both cases. He also has an excellent defensive coordinator who just got a little bit more ammunition to be more solid on defense this year. I think Kevin O'Connell is quietly one of the better playcallers in the NFL. I've been so impressed by him over the last couple of years the adjustments he's made. I love the way he talks about his offense, too," said Kimes. "I was just so impressed by the work he did with his you know, the carousel of quarterbacks. He also, I think it's a great feel for individual game planning, the way he's attacked certain defenses over the last couple of years, he's been really impressive to me."

O'Connell winning coach of the year is somewhat of a longshot to win coach of the year. He currently sits 12th on DraftKings Sportsbook at +2000 behind the likes of Matt Eberflus, Dan Campbell and Matt LaFleur.

This is something we will keep tabs on moving forward, as O'Connell could rise up quickly.

Related: Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster projection 1.0: Secondary sees major changes after injuries