Well, that's a strange development.
The media schedule for the NFL Scouting Combine has been released, and while not every NFL team sends its general manager and Head Coach to the podium for a formal press conference, the Minnesota Vikings won't be sending their head coach or "interim GM" to speak to the media.
The Vikings' official website announced: "O’Connell and Brzezinski are planning to participate in separate on-the-record sessions with Twin Cities media members who travel to Indianapolis.”
Now, that does mean both O'Connell and interim GM Rob Brezinski will have to answer questions from Minnesota beat writers. The fact that the two aren't allowing the rest of the NFL media world to ask questions is very telling.
Firstly, the questions from media members outside of the building tend to be a bit more hard-hitting since they don't have a relationship to maintain and are likely looking for a viral clip. Unfortunately, it is the nature of the business, and I'll say I don't blame them for avoiding a clickbait question, hoping for a viral headline.
However, the questions about the quarterback position are going to persist and will be a main talking point this week in Indianapolis and the entire offseason. They aren't going away, and avoiding them by not speaking at a press conference shows a hesitance to speak on the situation and the head-scratching GM search.
O'Connell has to answer questions about the position moving forward and the decisions that led them to the up-and-down season from J.J. McCarthy. The interim GM will have to answer questions about holding the seat warm for the eventual permanent GM or if he has a chance to secure the job himself following the dismissal of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Throw in the fact that Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion, current Vikings players have thrown their support behind the former Vikings quarterback, and the duo has to answer for the decision following a 14-win season under Darnold, and it's a big sign of the two hoping to duck questions.
This season is very important for the Vikings moving forward. What is the long-term plan for the quarterback? Can the franchise recover from letting Darnold and Daniel Jones walk to win nine games? What is the plan to restore order in the Vikings' front office? Are the Vikings a model of dysfunction and poor decision-making?
You can skip the press conferences. You can't skip out on accountability and having to answer tough questions with the entire offseason being filled with them.