“We Got Outplayed”: Vikings’ HC Kevin O’Connell Scrutinizes Team as Firing Demands Die Down

The Vikings pretty much killed their playoff chances with the humiliating Packers‘ loss. They are probably the side that has been hit the hardest by quarterback issues, as the team is still trying to settle for a name following Cousins’ departure. HC Kevin O’Connell took the blame on himself, insisting he needs to do a better job.

But the question arises of how long can it continue. O’Connell’s tenure has looked shaky, especially after a large portion of the fanbase demanded his firing. But if OG fans are to be believed, he is probably here to stay. To defend his leadership, they brought the example of their excellent last season. But will the HC get a lifeline distracting the owners with the QB issue?

Kevin O’Connell after week 17 loss: ‘I got to do a much better job’

It’s almost the end of the regular season, and the Vikings HC still talked about improving. Following the Packers’ loss, O’Connell took the blame on himself. “Not much to say other than we got outplayed. And you know I got to do a much better job clearly, preparing our team”, he said.

“Regardless of circumstances we have to play better than we just did. I didn’t think it was an effort thing, I think our guys came out with a lot of energy. Just was a combination of a lot of things and early on execution”, the HC detailed everything that went wrong in the game. Insisting they had all the efforts in the world but lacked execution.

Read More: Vikings’ HC, Kevin O’Connell, Lets Out His Frustration on ‘Roughing The Passer’ Call After Patrick Jones II Incident vs. Lions

And the story has been the same for the side since the loss of Kirk Cousins. With every step forward, they have taken 2 backward steps. But the repeated failures aren’t enough to force him out of the Vikings, according to Purple Daily’s Phil Mackey.

Popular Vikings fan blasts Kevin O’Connell firing demands

Mackey is as OG as it gets in terms of following the Vikings. But he has his clear say on the voices that asked for O’Connell’s removal after one bad season. “I didn’t hear any of this chatter certainly. They lost a devastating playoff game last year, nobody after 13 wins was like fire his ass right”, Mackey reminded the fans that they had an even bigger heartbreak last season, but nobody asked for a change in leadership.

“Kirk Cousins was playing his ass off, they go in, they’re leading against Green Bay… Kirk gets hurt. Like to me, there was criticism but this chatter of ‘fire Kevin O’Connell’, it’s picked up during these backup quarterback games”, Mackey pointed out to the main issue holding the side back. The same was evident against the Packers as well, as QB Nick Mullens threw for 113 yards with a single touchdown.

“I’m not saying there’s not things to criticize, but I find the notion that Kevin O’Connell should be fired or anywhere near a hot seat patently absurd,” the podcaster further defended the coach saying he deserved criticisms, but not a kick out.

But has O’Connell really done his best with what’s available? Will the fans still stay calm as the Vikings face a playoff-exit threat after Sunday’s loss? Even Mackey doesn’t have that answer.

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