Kevin O'Connell, the QB coaches and backups have Darnold playing at a high level. Can he bounce back from the Week 18 debacle in Detroit?

The quarterback whisperer may need to raise his voice. Sam Darnold has been the defining challenge of Kevin O’Connell’s coaching career. Now O’Connell faces the greatest challenge within that challenge: Retraining Darnold in one week.

WIth Sam Darnold probably on the way out and Kevin O'Connell entering the final year of his contract, here are five places that could pair the dynamic Minnesota Vikings duo together in 2025. We do not need to overthink this one,

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell speaks on Sam Darnold backup Daniel Jones' availability for Vikings' playoff game against Rams

Also, the Chiefs may have an answer at left tackle, the Bengals and Tee Higgins shine and Raheem Morris may have doomed the Falcons.

In a cool, proud, and overall wholesome moment, the Vikings' social media team caught head coach Kevin O'Connell watching the interaction in the distance—smiling and shaking his head at the way his signal-caller was lauded after the team's 14th win.

Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course started with the Vikings’ disappointing 31-9 loss in Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell calls a timeout during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold throws while being ...

Darnold's statistics against the Packers varied dramatically depending on pressure. Also notable: Kevin O’Connell in close games, Aaron Jones on any-down-and-short and Brian Flores' defense.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell met with reporters Thursday in Eagan. As of Thursday afternoon, Monday’s night playoff game vs. the Rams is still on, as scheduled, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.With wildfires continuing to burn in Southern California,

And yet, even after resting their starters to effectively throw away the third seed in Week 18, Sean McVay and the Rams aren't taking their foe for granted, as on Monday, the Super Bowl-winning head coach told reporters just how impressed he's been with Sam Darnold in Kevin O'Connell's offensive scheme.