Despite a dominant 2-0 start, the firebrand analyst claims Minnesota’s head coach is lucky to be employed, sparking a heated debate over the team's high-stakes quarterback strategy.
The Minnesota Vikings coaching staff is somehow still under the microscope after a 2-0 start to the NFL season.
All is well in Minnesota after consecutive wins over division challengers in the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The two wins all but secure the Vikings' spot in the driver's seat of the NFC North, but not everyone is impressed with the start. One NFL analyst is heavily critical of the Vikings' head coach Kevin O'Connell.
ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith is known for his scathing commentary and hot takes, but his latest comments on the Vikings was bold. Smith gave a strong rebuke of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell. Here is some of what he had to say.
"Two things that come to my mind. I think they are a good team that could have everything ruined by quarterback play. They got receivers, they got an elite defense, the bottom line is a quarterback could mess everything up. My second point, Kevin O'Connell as good as he is, is lucky to have his job.
When you are handed the reins to J.J. McCarthy who had never thrown an NFL pass, sacrificing a season of Justin Jefferson's career, you are lucky you still have your job."
Smith's basketball knowledge is undisputed, but his football hot takes certainly raise eyebrows. This one is a doozy.
The criticism of O'Connell certainly lacks context. Many gather that O'Connell did not want to move from J.J. McCarthy to Sam Darnold and that the decision to do so was above O'Connell. So, we'll start there.
Aug 28, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown (L) and head coach Kevin O'Connell (R) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesO'Connell is supposedly more confident in the free agent quarterback model than the take a chance, draft and develop path. So far, that's working for the Vikings.
Say what you will about Vikings backup quarterback Carson Wentz, but he is not making costly mistakes and he added three touchdowns off the bench when thrust into the Vikings' season opener vs. Green Bay due to an unforeseen injury. The Vikings won that game, 39-22.
No, O'Connell is not lucky to have a job. And no, defensive coordinator Brian Flores is not the only reason Minnesota is a good team so far this year, though he has been the primary driving force through two games.
O'Connell has been successful with other quarterbacks like Darnold and Kirk Cousins and added a 14-win season. Keeping a job after another winning season in 2025 isn't lucky. It's deserved.
The Vikings will look to get to 3-0 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week.
