2 previous Kevin O’Connell partnerships could mean good news for Vikings QB Kyler Murray

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most interesting teams coming into the 2026 NFL season, and it has everything to do with their quarterback situation. After suffering through one of the worst QB situations in the NFL in 2025, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray in free agency to help address it.

Of course, Murray still has to beat out JJ McCarthy for the starting job in training camp. But after McCarthy’s disastrous 2025 campaign that was full of injury and inconsistency, it would be a slight surprise if Murray didn’t get the first crack at the starting job this fall.

Of course, the former No. 1 overall pick is unlike any other quarterback that O’Connell has coached during his time with the Vikings. The likes of Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold were bigger, more prototypical pocket passers, while Murray is a much smaller dual-threat quarterback.

However, O’Connell has had to adjust his offense before. ESPN analyst Ben Solak noted this and isn’t concerned about O’Connell making things easier for Murray.

“This isn’t the first time O’Connell has done this. He got functional play out of Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs in 2023 after Cousins’ Achilles injury,” Solak wrote. “In both instances, he didn’t throw out his entire offense but rather tweaked it to fit his spot starter. Dobbs got more bootlegs and rollouts to accentuate his mobility. Mullens got more play-action shot opportunities to lean into his inherently aggressive style of play.”

While O’Connell might not be able to use as much of his traditional dropback passing concepts with Murray, given his limitations as a pocket passer, he is still one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. How he uses Murray’s dynamic running ability and creativity as a quarterback will be one of the most interesting things to watch this season.

The rest of this Vikings roster is ready to compete for a championship and has all the makings of one of the most improved teams in the NFC. If Murray plays to his potential, O’Connell will have his team right back in the playoffs picture this season.

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