You’d think that the one thing that Viking’s coach Kevin O’Connell (the former underwhelming NFL journeyman QB) would have figured out would be the quarterback position. He’s The Great Quarterback Whisperer for heaven’s sake, revered by all who play the position as a miracle worker, a guy with a magic wand who can turn any QB under his guidance into a Pro Bowler.
I mean, he revived Sam Darnold’s career, had Daniel Jones sign just to be around him, and even got decent play out of Josh Dobbs, which likely helped him get back on track. Dobbs is now the backup in Detroit after former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater announced his final, final retirement the other day.
But under KOC, the Vikings are about to have their fourth opening day starter in four years, and since 2023, eight different guys have started games for him at the position.
And now, the fire is roaring under his bum and cookies big-time, and yesterday we saw the first outward manifestation that he knows it.
Coaches are self-preservationists - believe me when I tell you that - and the longer they’re in there, the fewer risks they’re willing to take.
It’s why yesterday’s announcement was inevitable, even if the process to get there was mucky as hell. But it wasn’t ever an open competition - I don’t believe it was - I believe it was something else and we’ll get to that.
Because I’ve got a theory about all this - this QB business in Minnesota.
They missed their window - now - how do they open it back up?
I don’t know if they can.
