Since 2022, the Minnesota Vikings have been coached by Kevin O’Connell, a former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator. He played under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots and later worked with Sean McVay on the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff, helping the team win a championship in the 2021 season.
Before his NFL career, O’Connell was a standout quarterback at San Diego State, where he threw for 7,689 yards and 46 touchdowns. He began coaching in 2015 as the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns.
In his first season as head coach of the Vikings, O’Connell led the team to a strong 13-4 record and helped them win the NFC North for the first time since 2017.
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What is Kevin O’Connell’s Net Worth?
While exact figures remain private, Kevin O’Connell’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2025, based on his coaching contracts and prior NFL career.
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Kevin O’Connell’s Contract
In January 2025, Kevin O’Connell secured his future with the Minnesota Vikings by signing a multiyear contract extension. While the team didn’t release the exact numbers, multiple reports estimate the deal to be worth around $60 – $65 million over five years, keeping him in Minnesota through the 2029 season.
The extension bumped his annual salary to approximately $12-$13 million, a significant raise from his previous $5 million deal. That figure puts him among the top 10 highest-paid head coaches in the NFL, a reflection of the Vikings’ confidence in his leadership and long-term vision.
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Although the finer details, like performance bonuses, haven’t been made public, contracts at this level typically include incentives tied to playoff appearances, division wins, and postseason success. The team praised O’Connell for his ability to build culture, develop talent, and lead with clarity, especially after guiding the Vikings to a playoff berth in 2023.
What is Kevin O’Connell’s Salary?
According to VikingsTerritory, the deal is worth $13 million per season and extends O’Connell’s stay through the end of the 2029 campaign
Kevin O’Connell’s Career Earnings
Kevin O’Connell began his head coaching tenure with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, reportedly earning around $5 million per year during his first three seasons. While the team never publicly disclosed those figures, multiple sources confirm that estimate based on league standards.
In January 2025, the Vikings announced a multiyear contract extension for O’Connell. Though the team did not release financial terms, some reports said that the deal is worth $65 million over five years, averaging $13 million per season. O’Connell’s career earnings as a head coach are estimated to exceed $80 million by the end of the 2029 season, not including any income from his prior NFL playing career or media appearances.
Kevin O’Connell’s College and Professional Career
From 2003 to 2007, Kevin O’Connell played collegiate football at San Diego State University, where he started 33 games and served as a four-year team captain. In his senior season (2007), he passed for 3,063 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He was also a standout rushing quarterback, finishing first in school history in rushing yards among quarterbacks and second in rushing touchdowns.
Kevin O’Connell was picked by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He mostly served as a backup quarterback and played in two regular-season games in 2008, where he completed 4 out of 6 passes for 23 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.
After that, he spent time with the Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers, but didn’t get much playing time with any of those teams. His playing career ended around 2012, and he soon moved into coaching.
Kevin O’Connell’s Charity and Foundations
Throughout his tenure, the Minnesota Vikings head coach has shown a great commitment to philanthropy. In 2025, Kevin O’Connell made headlines by donating his entire $1.8 million bonus and endorsement earnings to a range of charities and homelessness support organizations, reflecting his deep commitment to giving back.
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To raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research, O’Connell has also been an active member of the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign, where he has worn specially painted shoes. Beyond his personal contributions, he has also worked with groups like the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill the requests of kids with life-threatening conditions.
From an exceptional collegiate quarterback at San Diego State to the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O’Connell’s journey exemplifies both skill and tenacity. Despite having a short NFL playing career, he quickly rose through the coaching ranks.