Vikings RB Aaron Jones recognizes Kevin O'Connell as a player coach

Vikings running back Aaron Jones tends to hit the century mark when accumulating rushing yards. He did it 20 times during his career in Green Bay with the Packers. Sunday was the second time in his career that he fell six yards short of it, though.

That shortcoming on Sunday, though, wasn’t without an extra attempt to do so, thanks to Kevin O’Connell.

When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones mentioned that O’Connell sent him back out for another rushing attempt before Myles Gasking took over late in the fourth quarter. While he only gained one yard on the run, the thoughtfulness wasn’t lost on the veteran running back.

“I really respect Kev for that, he left me in there. I seen Myles about to run in. It was kind of special to me. The players know coach, they know KOC because they see Myles about to come in, and then he stops and goes back off the field, and they look at me, and they’re like, ‘You must be close to a hundred, he’s gonna let you get hundred. I didn’t get it, but just to have that opportunity, a lot of people wouldn’t do that.”

O’Connell’s connection has proven to extend outside of the quarterback position. The entire roster means something to him, and that has been proven.

If Aaron Jones can hit 100 yards in most games to end the year, the entire offense will benefit. Controlling the time of possession is important to this team, so seeing it be a priority with everyone is nice.