You in or out on KOC/Vikings coming up big in 2026?

[medaille]

I should add that Hock in year 2 off his ACL and Darrisaw as well should both be back to form.  Hock is playing for a contract and to me he looked better late last year.  Some guys need more time off that injury.  Jefferson should be motivated after his worst year as a pro.  Addison wants to earn an extension, aka let's get paid.  

And KOC could well be motivated by a need to not just make the playoffs but actually win there.  One of the current, not-agreed-upon mysteries here in fanville is, does Kevin need to perform to keep his job or are the Wilfs just like, "We love you man, you can go lose in the Wild Card or not even make it and still come back for more next year!"

So I think there will be plenty of motivated people in the building this year, I didn't even name them all.  No one's coming off 14 wins and feeling smug like last year.

Yeah, I think if there's one thing this team will have it's motivation.

[JR44]

I think it would be really challenging to evaluate any coach with the way the past 4 years this team has been run from a personnel standpoint. KOC was viewed to be a pretty good coach when he had Darnold and a healthy Cousins, so the inconsistency in the QB has been a factor as well. I think he does an excellent job in terms of communicating with his players and motivating them. His game management could be better, but he has seemed to be learning from some of his previous mistakes.

The biggest concern I have with him is how did much of an impact did he have on the decision to not resign Darnold. I would think he would have had to have a significant influence on the decision and if so, it would concern me on his ability to effectively evaluate QBs. There could be a chance as some rumors that it was Kwesi's call.

[supafreak84]

Hey, its all fair game right now as we sit. You could be right. Obviously, none of us hope that.

And to further illustrate my point on OConnell, a great point was brought up on Purple Daily yesterday. If OConnell was going to be more committed to big package/multi TE formations in order to balance the offense and establish a more consistent running game....why haven't we replaced CJ Ham yet or only have two TE's on our roster currently? The answer to that is (and this was indicated by him in his season ending presser) he wants to get back to running 3-wide and hitting big chunk plays in the passing game. He hasn't learned and is going to continue , and because of that, it's much more likely to me that our pick at #18 is a receiver.

[purplefaithful]

I think it would be really challenging to evaluate any coach with the way the past 4 years this team has been run from a personnel standpoint.  KOC was viewed to be a pretty good coach when he had Darnold and a healthy Cousins, so the inconsistency in the QB has been a factor as well.  I think he does an excellent job in terms of communicating with his players and motivating them.  His game management could be better, but he has seemed to be learning from some of his previous mistakes. 

The biggest concern I have with him is how did much of an impact did he have on the decision to not resign Darnold.  I would think he would have had to have a significant influence on the decision and if so, it would concern me on his ability to effectively evaluate QBs.  There could be a chance as some rumors that it was Kwesi's call.

i'm a firm believer that was KAM sticking to the plan at QB - a rook come hell or high water. I think KOC knew #9 wasn't ready yet and wanted to keep Sam. 

Any ways, my biggest disappointment in coach is:

Not adjusting the O enough for JJM early in the season
He can scheme a gorgeous pass play, but his 1/2 time adjustments usually leave me lacking
He can't marry a run game with that passing game he elegantly builds each week. 
- I'm hoping the new coach they added to the staff helps him get over the hump on this issue in particular.

[StickierBuns]

And to further illustrate my point on OConnell, a great point was brought up on Purple Daily yesterday. If OConnell was going to be more committed to big package/multi TE formations in order to balance the offense and establish a more consistent running game....why haven't we replaced CJ Ham yet or only have two TE's on our roster currently? The answer to that is (and this was indicated by him in his season ending presser) he wants to get back to running 3-wide and hitting big chunk plays in the passing game. He hasn't learned and is going to continue , and because of that, it's much more likely to me that our pick at #18 is a receiver.

I remember you mentioning this a bit ago and I disagreed vehemently....but I'll be curious to see. If it happens, nicely noted by you. I'll be shocked with all our other needs if they go WRer in round 1. The game is still played with just 1 football, correct? I think I'd be pretty upset about it and I don't get like that at all over draft picks. I mean, we got fans heavily concerned that Jefferson only had 2 TDs last year and the Vikings take a WRer in round 1 after paying Addison his 5th year option? I couldn't envision something dumber than taking a WRer in round 1.

[Waterboy]

I'm in that we'll have a chance to contend for the NFC North and firmly out on thinking we have a shot at a Super Bowl. KOC has not won a post-season game and has been more than a little lucky in the two seasons where he ran up his career record totals. I see him as a good not great coach until he proves otherwise.

[JustInTime]

As I’ve stated before, worst QB play since 1971 and we’re one KO away from making the playoffs. Hard not to be in on a HC who can pull that off. 

But, I think I’ve got to see multiple playoff wins in the very near future to fully sign off. Winning in the regular season is expected. Making some hay in the playoffs is required. He’s like that AAA player who wilts a bit or isn’t quite as good when he gets called up otherwise.

[supafreak84]

I remember you mentioning this a bit ago and I disagreed vehemently....but I'll be curious to see. If it happens, nicely noted by you. I'll be shocked with all our other needs if they go WRer in round 1. The game is still played with just 1 football, correct? I think I'd be pretty upset about it and I don't get like that at all over draft picks. I mean, we got fans heavily concerned that Jefferson only had 2 TDs last year and the Vikings take a WRer in round 1 after paying Addison his 5th year option? I couldn't envision something dumber than taking a WRer in round 1.

The 3-wide and multi receiver formations are crucial to what he wants to do on offense. We've signed nobody and does anybody trust after last year, they are going to simply turn that 3rd role over to Tai Felton? That's the big key. What do they think of Felton, who was a late 3rd round Kwesi draft pick and couldn't even get garbage time reps last year. I think they want and need a better 3rd option.

[MAD GAINZ]

i'm a firm believer that was KAM sticking to the plan at QB - a rook come hell or high water. I think KOC knew #9 wasn't ready yet and wanted to keep Sam. 

Any ways, my biggest disappointment in coach is:

Not adjusting the O enough for JJM early in the season
He can scheme a gorgeous pass play, but his 1/2 time adjustments usually leave me lacking
He can't marry a run game with that passing game he elegantly builds each week. 
- I'm hoping the new coach they added to the staff helps him get over the hump on this issue in particular.

I think that's exactly why we brought in Smith.  Help out our run game, just look at what he did in Miami with McDaniels.  They could literally plug in Jeff Wilson, Mostert, or any warm body and they averaged 4.5 ypc.

[MaroonBells]

I’m always in because the Vikes are my favorite form of entertainment so what other choice do I have l lol.

I still have lots of faith in O’Connell and Flores and good coaching matters a lot in the NFL so I think we’ll be decent. But if I’m being honest, I was more confident and excited at this time last year for The Dawning of A New Era with our Franchise Savior McCarthy. The team gassed him up, the team rolled him out there despite many other roads they could’ve taken, and the entire situation was a debacle from snap 1. Ugh. And we still had a fine W/L record!

This year I’m not gonna believe a word outta Vikes FO until I see how Kyler looks with the team on the field. If he’s rejuvenated we’re in business. If he’s the same guy he was the past few years in Arizona, this may go badly. Too early to say.

So yeah I think it’ll be a competitive season and we’ll all have some fun. Just lemme see what we do in the draft before I start thinking about Lombardis though.

Even if you take Kyler Murray's worst season statistically (his rookie season) and compare that to what we got out of our QB room last year, you have to be pretty excited about what he offers a team with Justin Jefferson. 

Vikings 2025 QB room

Total yards: 3425
21 total TDs
21 total INTs
74.3 passer rating. 

Murray's worst season

Total yards: 4266
24 total TDs
12 INTs
87.4 passer rating