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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed that he wants to remain with team long-term amid speculation of his future.
"I do," O'Connell said when asked if he wanted to sign a contract extension while addressing reporters via the Athletic's Alec Lewis.
On Sunday (January 5), FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer reported that O'Connell could garner trade interest from teams needing to fill a head coaching vacancy.
"There are multiple teams that actually are considering trying to trade for Kevin O'Connell and the reason why, next year, the last year of his deal, they've had no contract talks at all," Glazer said.
O'Connell is the favorite to win the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year award, having led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season finish and No. 4 seed in the NFC after many predicted they'd finish last in the NFC North Division standings, while coaching quarterback Sam Darnold to a career renaissance.
"Look, if you're a team out there saying, 'why not take a shot, see if we can do it,'" Glazer added. "Maybe the Vikings don't let it happen, but also Kevin O'Connell kinda has the cards there, 'hey, listen, I'm not gonna re-sign there so you might as well get something for me.'
"Now, I don't know, cause obviously, I don't think Kevin knows about this right now. But there are multiple teams who have him on that board and say, 'let's at least try to see if we can trade for him.'"
O'Connell has gone 34-14 during his first seasons with the Vikings, which includes two postseason appearances.