There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2026 NFL season. For example, there is no way to know how new quarterback Kyler Murray will fit into the team's offense and how much the team will miss their veteran defensive tackles.
However, there is one thing that shouldn't be questioned. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has proven himself to be a capable leader as someone who is willing to work with players to get the most out of them.
While O'Connell will have his hands full in 2026, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the 40-year-old will be successful. With a 2024 AP Coach of the Year award to hang his hat on, he will still need to have a good year in Minnesota since this is a fickle league.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell ranked ahead of Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson
Recently, NBC Sports' Patrick Daugherty shared an article that ranked the NFL's head coaches entering the 2026 season. Interestingly, despite the Vikings missing the playoffs and struggling in 2025, O'Connell ranks No. 12.
To make things even more interesting, the head coach of the NFC North division-winning Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson, was ranked one spot after O'Connell. Johnson has been impressive since his head coaching debut, but it is difficult to put him ahead of the purple and gold's representative.
Here is what Daugherty had to say about Kevin O'Connell this offseason:
"His top assistant, Brian Flores, has it figured out on defense. As a head coach, you need to handle your business on your side of the ball and know who to trust on the other.
O’Connell passes the test. He will eventually get past the first round of the playoffs if that remains the case."
Interestingly, the praise for Ben Johnson's work in Chicago makes it sound like he will rise in these rankings quickly.
"In a league and media landscape addicted to hyperbole and quick-fixes, no label gets misapplied more frequently than 'offensive genius.' Well, maybe 'franchise savior.'
Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago to expectations of both. He blew them away."
No matter how you look at it, the NFC North is in a good place, and the division games should be must-watch television any time they take the field.