The Minnesota Vikings are in a tailspin - and the numbers paint a stark picture. After Sunday’s lopsided loss to the Seahawks, they’ve now managed just six total points and an average of 153.5 yards of offense over their last two games.
That’s not just a slump. That’s an offense in crisis.
And while the defense has quietly held up its end of the bargain - playing well enough to win in both of those outings - the offensive side of the ball has become the anchor dragging this team down. The question now: Can head coach Kevin O’Connell find a way to turn things around before the season slips completely out of reach?
During Sunday’s broadcast, FOX analyst Greg Olsen summed it up bluntly: “Kevin O’Connell’s going to have to face a lot of questions.” And he’s right.
O’Connell, who was riding high just a season ago after being named NFL Coach of the Year and helping revive Sam Darnold’s career, is suddenly staring down a very different reality. The offense that once looked innovative and efficient has gone cold - and fast.
So what’s next for O’Connell and this Vikings offense?
At the heart of the issue is the quarterback position. Minnesota hasn’t been able to find any rhythm under center, and the ripple effect has been felt across the entire offense.
The play-calling hasn’t helped either. Whether it’s scheme, execution, or a combination of both, the Vikings haven’t been able to generate any consistent production - and that’s a problem no matter how well your defense is playing.
One option that’s starting to gain traction, at least in the court of public opinion, is the possibility of O’Connell handing off play-calling duties. That would be a major shift, especially for a head coach who’s made his name on the offensive side of the ball. But desperate times call for bold decisions, and if a change in voice or rhythm could jumpstart the offense, it’s at least something to consider.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. O’Connell has earned plenty of goodwill for what he accomplished last season, but coaching in the NFL is a what-have-you-done-lately business.
And lately, the Vikings’ offense has looked completely out of sync. Whether it’s personnel issues, poor execution, or simply play designs that aren’t working, something has to give.
To be fair, Minnesota has faced two of the league’s toughest defenses in back-to-back weeks - Seattle and Green Bay are no slouches. But great teams find ways to move the ball, even against elite competition. And if the Vikings continue to sputter against more beatable defenses in the coming weeks, the questions surrounding O’Connell’s leadership and the direction of this offense are only going to get louder.
The good news? There’s still time.
The Vikings don’t need to become an offensive juggernaut overnight - they just need to find a spark. Whether that comes from a quarterback change, a shift in play-calling, or simply better execution across the board, something has to change.
Because right now, the offense is wasting some solid defensive efforts - and with every passing week, the margin for error gets smaller.
Kevin O’Connell has proven he can coach. Now he has to prove he can adapt.