Kevin O’Connell values accuracy above all else in his quest to find the Vikings’ next franchise quarterback.
In a guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday O’Connell was asked what traits he was looking for in a future quarterback. It didn’t take long into his answer for potential controversy to arise.
“I think accuracy is the No. 1 trait that NFL quarterbacks need to have,” O’Connell started before he was interrupted by McAfee asking, “Oh, so [Michael] Penix?”
O’Connell dodged the interruption with a silent stare before jokingly repeating his answer.
Minnesota have been on the search for their next franchise QB after the departure of Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason. With picks No. 11 and 23 the Vikings are heavy favorites to make a move into the upper echelons of the draft to select one of the highly touted QB prospects in a deep quarterback class. O’Connell calls the deep QB class “exciting” when discussing the differences between the top prospects.
“What I’m looking for is someone that can efficiently run the offense,” continued O’Connell.
Kevin O’Connell: “I think accuracy is one trait that quarterbacks need to have.”
Pat McAfee: “Oh so Penix.”
*Long pause from KOC 🤣
(@PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/yMP0TTBS50
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 26, 2024
On if he can teach a QB to be accurate O’Connell said it’s about “what you study” and going on further elaborate that accuracy comes from a QBs footwork.
“You can fix some things from the ground up,” said O’Connell. “I do think we’re all given the ability for that ball to leave our fingertips a certain way. I’d like to think you can watch the tape, evaluate some of those misses and say ‘yay’ or ‘nay.'”
Though O’Connell said accuracy is the most important trait he’s looking for, it’s not the only one.
“I think some of the other traits to me it’s the athletic ability, it’s the ability to make some plays with your feet,” O’Connell continued. “Our game has changed. It’s a space game, people are all over the field, we’re trying to spread defenses out. You’ve got to account for the quarterback for many of these guys and that could be a real factor when you’re putting together plays.”
Shortly after news broke of Cousins heading to Atlanta the Vikings brought in former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold on a one-year deal. O’Connell said the Darnold “jumped out” to him.
“Having really evaluated him at different parts of his quarterback journey… I think that journey, there’s a lot of circumstances involved in it,” said O’Connell. “I can’t wait to get to working with him and I do think his best football [is ahead of him].”
