Mike Zimmer sometimes emphasized the run too much. Kevin O’Connell has gone in the other direction, emphasizing the pass too […]
Mike Zimmer sometimes emphasized the run too much. Kevin O’Connell has gone in the other direction, emphasizing the pass too regularly.
To be sure, the NFL is a passing league. Being able to move the pigskin through the air is therefore a priority. What cannot continue, though, is only being good at passing. Great teams know how to make a team’s preferred approach — such as the Vikings’ passing effort — difficult. Re-watch the Vikings’ pair of playoff games under O’Connell’s leadership for some examples. So, there’s no time like the present to adjust.
Kevin O’Connell Needs to Run
Taking a look at Pro Football Reference, quite possibly the greatest website in all the land, involves arriving at some clarity for what the Vikings have done when running since the 2022 season. Check it out:
- 2022: 1,661 Rushing Yards (t-27th) & 404 Rushing Attempts (t-27th)
- 2023: 1,533 Rushing Yards (29th) & 393 Rushing Attempts (28th)
- 2024: 1,855 Rushing Yards (t-19th) & 457 Rushing Attempts (t-14th)
- 2025: 1,841 Rushing Yards (23rd) & 410 Rushing Attempts (27th)
As it relates to who has been carrying the football, Kevin O’Connell has been able to lean on several good and/or average options but none who are elite. Think Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers, Ty Chandler, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and some others. Again, not elite such as Saquon Barkley or Jahmyr Gibbs but solid enough.
Going into 2026, Kevin O’Connell is rallying around a cluster of talent being led by Jones, Mason, and Demond Claiborne. At fullback, Max Bredeson is replacing C.J. Ham as the lead blocker.
More important than the talent will be the head coach’s willingness to remain committed to the run.
The Vikings of yesteryear couldn’t fully figure out the balance. Zimmer, a defensive wizard, wanted to run too much. Such an approach does have merit — grinding down the clock, reducing turnovers, playing physical ball, etc. — but there are downsides, too.
With O’Connell, there can be too much willingness to abandon a strategy that grinds down the other team. Maybe a 3-yard run in the 1st quarter isn’t inspiring. Could going back to it in the 4th quarter, though, involve seeing that same run turn into a 6-yard gain?
Consider, as well, the perspective of the rugged guys in the trenches. Constantly needing to withstand the forward assault of pass rushers can be difficult. Sometimes, being able to fire out of one’s stance to push guys around can be rejuvenating.
Plus, the quarterback benefits immensely from a potent ground attack. Note the keyword: potent. Running on 1st and 2nd to then face 3rd & 9 doesn’t help anybody. What of being able to sit in 3rd & 2, though? Now that’s a situation that has some upside.
The 2026 offseason has featured no shortage of praise for new o-line coach Keith Carter and Frank Smith, who is the Asst. HC to O’Connell. A perfect world involves seeing these two push Kevin O’Connell toward a strategy that makes him better equipped for January football.
The Vikings’ training camp gets rolling on July 26th.
