The last thing that Kevin O’Connell should do Monday before leaving behind the Rams is stop by Sean McVay’s office for a quick confirmation.
Hey Sean, just making sure you definitely are coaching next season? That commitment you made Saturday was the truth and not just quieting the pregame noise, right?
O’Connell is expected to be officially hired Monday as the Vikings head coach (the two sides reached an agreement Feb. 2) and close out the coaching carousel for 2022. The Rams offensive coordinator pulled double-duty last week, preparing to face the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI and putting in place assistant coaches – most notably defensive coordinator Ed Donatell – on his Vikings staff.
“I’m feeling incredibly humbled for the opportunity that’s ahead of me,” O’Connell said in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, “but at the same time … what’s been put together here [with the Rams] from a culture standpoint makes this place very special. It’s something I’ve really tried to absorb because it’s something I would like to try to recreate. There’s incredible growth opportunities for everybody on a daily basis.”
The last few days certainly should make Vikings fans feel a bit nervous until O’Connell’s signature is on his contract.
What if all the sudden smoke around McVay’s possible retirement into broadcasting – he could command a raise to at least $10 million per year in a less-demanding job, according to The Post’s Andrew Marchand – turns out to be true and McVay rethinks the commitment he gave about coaching in 2022?
With quarterback Matthew Stafford in his prime, owner Stan Kroenke willing to dive into incredibly deep pockets and aggressive general manager Les Snead, Rams head coach isn’t just more attractive than the Vikings’ job. It’s better than any of the eight others filled this offseason and maybe the most desirable position available since the opportunity to coach the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers in 2019.
There is no indication that O’Connell would have a last-minute change of heart. But the NFL was stunned when then-Patriots offensive Josh McDaniels reneged on a handshake agreement to take over as Colts head coach after Super Bowl LII. He had already convinced assistant coaches to leave other jobs in anticipation of joining him.
Then-Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor was set to become Bengals head coach after Super Bowl LIII. He was in a similar spot as O’Connell was in Monday in terms of a quick turnaround. It obviously worked out for Taylor, who had the Bengals in the Super Bowl within three years.
“It was a real conflict of emotions,” Taylor said. “I don’t know that I’ve ever really processed that [Super Bowl LIII loss to the Patriots] in its entirety because I woke up the next morning and it was an exciting time for myself and my family.”
If all eyes are on McVay in the aftermath of the Super Bowl, keeping O’Connell in peripheral vision is worthwhile until he touches down in Minnesota. Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was a finalist for the Vikings job, as well.
“The person, the leader that Sean McVay is,” O’Connell said, “his willingness to teach, his willingness to motivate, he’s really a special human being. There’s a reason why he’s had the success he had.”