NFL Honors: Kevin O'Connell wins Coach of the Year, Jared Allen headed to Pro Football HOF
Kevin O'Connell named Coach of the Year at NFL Honors
The Vikings had a busy night at the NFL Honors Show Thursday night, highlighted by Kevin O'Connell winning Coach of the Year. Jared Allen was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings were well-represented at the NFL Honors Show in New Orleans Thursday night, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.
Kevin O’Connell was a finalist for Coach of the Year, Sam Darnold was a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year and C.J. Ham was the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Brian Flores was also in the running for Assistant Coach of the Year.
Vikings’ star receiver Justin Jefferson made a valiant effort to introduce the Comeback Player of the Year Award by tossing to a message from Randy Moss, who is battling cancer. But the transition got fumbled due to a broken teleprompter at the NFL Honors Show.
Jared Allen elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Why you should care:
Former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was selected to the 2025 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday night. He becomes the 16th member of the Vikings to be selected to the Hall of Fame, and the 14th player.
The Vikings acquired Allen in a trade in 2008, and he spent six seasons in Minnesota. He had 85.5 of his 136 career sacks with the Vikings, including 22 in 2011. Allen was inducted to the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2022. He was a Pro Bowl pick in four of his six seasons in Minnesota.
Kevin O’Connell named NFL Coach of the Year
Why you should care:
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year Thursday night. He earned 25 first-place votes, and 361 points total to beat out Dan Campbell and Andy Reid.
The Vikings had an over/under win total of 6.5 entering the 2024 season. O’Connell led them to a 14-3 record, and their second playoff appearance in three seasons. He’s the only coach in franchise history to lead the Vikings to at least 13 wins in two of his first three seasons. O’Connell has 34 wins with the Vikings. Just a few weeks ago, O'Connell and the Vikings agreed to terms on a multi-year extension.
"This is an organizational award," he said after thanking Bill Belichick, who handed him the trophy.
O’Connell is the second coach in franchise history to win the award. Bud Grant won it in 1969.
Sam Darnold 3rd in Comeback Player voting
Why you should care:
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold did not win the AP Comeback Player of the Year Thursday night at NFL Honors. That went to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Darnold finished third in the voting, behind J.K. Dobbins and Burrow.
Darnold came to Minnesota on a one-year contract and threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also led the Vikings to 14 wins and their second playoff berth in three seasons.
Brian Flores 2nd in assistant coach voting
What we know:
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores did not win the AP Assistant Coach of the Year. That went to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Flores finished second in voting, while Aaron Glenn took third. Flores interviewed virtually for at least three head coaching openings, but did not get an in-person interview. The Vikings led the NFL with 24 interceptions this season, and had 49 sacks.