Fans of the Minnesota Vikings had reason to tune into the NFL Honors on Thursday night. Kevin O’Connell was up for AP Coach of the Year, and Sam Darnold was in the running for AP Comeback Player of the Year.
O’Connell wound up taking home the award, but things got a tad bit awkward between Vikings fans and Lions writer Dave Birkett afterwards.
Birkett was in the room covering the event for the Detroit Free Press, and he tweeted a major piece of news that initially had Vikings fans on the edge of their seats:
Kevin O’Connell in his Coach of the Year news conference: Our goal is to win a championship and Sam Darnold is going to be a huge part of it when we do it.
Sure sounds like Vikings want to ride with Darnold next year.
Fans immediately responded with requests for video or audio evidence of O’Connell’s comments, which the coach later said were “not 100 percent accurate.” Video of the presser was later posted to YouTube, with O’Connell saying that exact quote about superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and not Darnold.
It sure seems like this was an honest mistake, as Birkett trolled Vikings fans and doubled down on his report:
Wtf? Yeah he actually said that. Someone asked him about Darnold and that was his answer. I wasn’t recording it cause I wasnt writing about it. Just came back from HOF presser as Gates was bouncing to different stops, when he got asked. Those pressers are like 3 ?s long fwiw https://t.co/LQt2HJBtJe
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 7, 2025
O’Connell clarified his comments in a conference call with the local media, stating that no decision has been made on bringing Darnold back, but discussions with the QB’s representation are ongoing. The coach did have a one-on-one interview with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini where he said he was “hopeful” Darnold would be back in Minnesota this coming season, so there’s that.
Per usual in the NFL, it’s going to come down to money with Darnold. If his camp believes he can fetch $40 million per season on the open market, he’s probably headed that route, unless Minnesota opts to use its franchise tag on him.
Reports about Darnold’s impending return to Minnesota have been greatly exaggerated, at least for now.
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