Kevin O'Connell's Bold Declaration: 'We’re Built for Success—It’s What We Do on the Field That Matters'
As the Minnesota Vikings push deeper into the 2025 NFL season, head coach Kevin O'Connell remains steadfast in his belief that the team is built for success. Despite all the trade rumors, external noise, and speculation surrounding roster moves, O'Connell’s focus is firmly on what his players bring to the field. His latest remarks emphasize that the Vikings are in a strong position to succeed, regardless of what happens off the field.
“The team we have right now is built for success. It’s not about the moves we make on paper, it’s about what we do when we step on that field,” O'Connell declared with confidence. "We’re going to continue to work hard, stay focused, and prove that we have what it takes to win, no matter what’s happening off the field."
O'Connell’s words serve as a clear message to both his players and fans alike: the focus should always remain on execution and performance during the game. While other teams may prioritize big-name trades or splashy acquisitions to improve their rosters, O'Connell trusts in the foundation that the Vikings have already built—a team capable of achieving great things without needing to rely on external distractions.
This commitment to internal growth and development is at the heart of O'Connell’s coaching philosophy. Since taking over as head coach, O'Connell has emphasized the importance of teamwork, preparation, and consistency over short-term fixes. Under his leadership, the Vikings have built a squad that values depth, unity, and strong game plans over quick wins or high-profile acquisitions.
For O'Connell, it’s about more than just putting together a talented roster; it’s about creating a culture of success that permeates throughout the organization. The Vikings have invested in young, talented players, and O'Connell’s belief in the potential of those players is evident. He knows that success won’t come from just making a big move at the trade deadline or picking up a high-priced free agent—it will come from building the kind of team that can handle adversity and win through discipline, focus, and execution.
The message is clear: no matter the rumors or the external chatter, the Vikings are confident in their own ability. It’s the work that happens on the field that truly matters, and O'Connell is certain that the team is on the right path to success.
As the Vikings continue to fight for a playoff spot, this mentality will be essential. O'Connell’s leadership has already proven to be an invaluable asset to the team, and if they continue to trust in their process, there’s no telling how far this team can go.
The Vikings may not have made the splashiest moves at the trade deadline, but under O'Connell's guidance, they’ve built a team that has the potential to compete with the best of them. Now, it’s time for the Vikings to show the world that success is not defined by the headlines, but by the execution on the field.
Commanders stuck in reverse while young talent waits to shine
In Ron Rivera’s final season as coach, the Washington Commanders had the worst defense in the NFL. It was not a close competition.
It was so bad in 2023 that Rivera fired his defensive coordinator and secondary coach during the season. The team was dead last in points allowed (30.5) and yards allowed (388.9).
Dan Quinn wishes his Commanders could match those miserable 2023 numbers right now.
This would constitute an improvement over the last four games. In that span, the unit run by Quinn and his defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt Jr., has given up almost 34 points and 410 yards per game. Their last three opponents have piled up more than 400 yards. The Commanders have lost four straight.
Washington’s offense is struggling, but its defense has turned into a disaster. And clearly something needs to change.
Commanders must deploy a youth movement to determine long-term plans
I am neutral on Whitt’s job status. Some are calling for him to be fired, but I doubt it would help in the short term. He has been a good coach for many years, and he seemed to have this defense heading in the right direction in 2024.
The speed with which Adam Peters overhauled the moribund roster of 2023 was staggering. It worked much better and much faster than anyone expected. But it now appears that the strategy of relying more heavily on veterans was short-sighted.
The Commanders still had holes. Their biggest issue was a lack of consistent edge rushers, but there were also questions about depth at linebacker and across the secondary.
Part of the recent struggles can be pinned on injuries. The Commanders' opening-day roster had only three legitimate NFL defensive ends. Jacob Martin and Von Miller often line up there, but they are both seriously undersized for the position. All three of those — Dorance Armstrong Jr., Deatrich Wise Jr., and Javontae Jean-Baptiste — have been lost to injury, as has starting safety Will Harris.
Whether you think that is a legitimate excuse or not, it doesn’t really matter. Moving forward, the Commanders must confront several questions unrelated to health issues.
Bobby Wagner is way past his prime. More troubling, young cornerstones Frankie Luvu, Mike Sainristil, and Quan Martin have regressed significantly. Getting those players back on track is job No. 1 for Whitt.
Job No. 2 is finding out which of Washington’s many young players can be part of the answer in the coming years. I am not advocating giving up on this season, although it seems pretty clear that it is a lost cause — at least if you are measuring by playoff success.
What this season must provide is clarity on who will be on this team in the years to come. Luvu and Sainristil aren’t going anywhere. Martin might not be either. Those players, along with rookie Trey Amos and a few veteran linemen, will be the core of the defense in 2026.
Who will join them?
Jordan Magee needs to play a lot more. That either means a new defensive scheme or a severe reduction in snaps for the venerable Wagner.
Magee has shown some genuine flashes in recent weeks, one of the only defenders to do so. It is ludicrous to argue that he is somehow better than Wagner, who remains a formidable run stopper and blitzer. But he needs reps, and not merely on obvious passing downs.
Tyler Owens is in the same bracket. He may never be as consistent and productive as his impressive physical ability should allow, but he will not improve by simply playing special teams.
Owens is the one player on the Commanders’ roster who fits the physical profile of the modern roving defensive back. Against the Seattle Seahawks, Commanders’ fans saw the newest version of that player in Nick Emmanwori. Quinn needs to find out whether the Texas Tech product can approximate that style of play.
What do Quinn and Whitt want in a safety? I can understand why they may not have wanted to spend money to retain Jeremy Chinn. What’s more puzzling is the complete ignoring of Percy Butler, especially as Martin has struggled.
It makes sense to let Martin work through his problems on the field. However, Butler has always been a decent presence at free safety, and he deserves more involvement in this defense.
Quinn and Whitt probably felt Butler and Noah Igbinoghene were not good enough to play significant roles on defense. But as the secondary has fallen deeper into a pit, it makes sense to put them on the field. At least it should help clarify whether this is a secondary issue or a pass-rush issue.
Quite frankly, those moves should have already happened. It is reaching the point where more drastic changes seem reasonable. If Kain Medrano can’t find a small role on the defense right now, does he really have a future in Washington? Even practice squad defensive backs Car’lin Vigers and Robert McDaniel might be in line for a call-up.
The defense — especially the back seven — is not working. It has been an ongoing problem and shows no signs of improvement. Of course, the coaches know better than any outsider who is ready and who is not. And this doesn't only apply to defense.
I still don't understand why Tay Martin, who appeared to be the club's most productive depth receiver, was dropped for totally unproven bigger names like Robbie Chosen and Treylon Burks. But at least some of these young defenders need to get on the field for a test drive.
If Quinn and Whitt refuse to try a few of them with the season rapidly slipping away, then why are they on the roster?
