“We are all going to get a little bit better.” That’s the line Kevin O’Connell keeps coming back to: focusing on growth. Even though the Vikings finished strong and significantly improved on their 7-10 game stat from the 2023 season and jumped to a 14-3 record in 2024, they do have room to grow for the upcoming season. So, how does Kevin plan on improving his locker room? Well, it’s all about moving forward, pushing for improvement in every rep, every single day.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell sat down with Kay Adams on Up and Adams on their May 1 episode as he laid out his vision for the team. Right off the bat, Adams brought up the “More is Required” mantra she had spotted on a T-shirt. “I saw that, what is it, more is required? That was the t-shirt?” Coach broke down the movement, saying that it was entirely player-driven. He said, ” Yeah, that was something that, you know, Jonathan Bernard and some of our players kind of talked about after the season. And we’ve got some other things kind of brewing.”
What Jonathan Bernard started in the locker room quickly became a rallying cry for the entire team. Now, it’s printed on shirts at every locker. As the HC claims that this mission statement is driving them all to chase higher expectations. “And that’s my job as the head coach, whether it’s other coaches, whether it’s the players on our roster, everybody in this building, I want, you know, with a mindset that we’re all going to get a little bit better….. More is required to get where we want to get to.”
The players on the @Vikings came up with “more is required”.
KOC? Not a sign guy. pic.twitter.com/dtt5dU36N7
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) May 1, 2025
And that buy-in starts at the top. Kevin O’Connell made it clear: past wins are just stepping stones. He’s pushing a culture where constant growth is the standard, not the goal. Team Kevin O’Connell never settles. For them, every piece matters, every role counts. He wants everyone to show up, level up, and work together, because it’s not just about talent. “I wanted those guys to have some ownership,” he added.
That mindset is already spreading. The shift O’Connell wanted isn’t just top-down—it’s for everyone. He expects players and coaches alike to follow the same proactive mantra. “We have got to find a way—all of us, including me, to grow, get better, individually do our jobs, and collectively too as a group.” Adams also seemed to confirm the transformation taking place. “I think it says a lot that it’s all in the players—the culture that you built,” she said. The two went ahead to discuss the off-season program. As Adams also told viewers how her first meeting with JJ McCarthy was “Awesome.” Following the McCarthy discussion, O’Connell laid down his plans for McCarthy, pledging support for his game, saying, “He has done his part.”
Backed by the coach’s supportive mantra, the locker room feels different. Fans can see the real-time manifestation of O’Connell’s vision. That special brand of KOC culture isn’t just talked about—it’s lived. In an interview, McCarthy, their star QB, tipped his hat as a gesture of respect to the former team QB Sam Darnold, who has now moved to the Seattle Seahawks.
Kevin O’Connell vs Mike Macdonald: whose QB got a better game?
The wholesome dynamic between the two QBs became apparent when J.J. McCarthy highlighted what he’s picked up from Sam Darnold after his best season yet. “Just being a true pro,” McCarthy paid his respects. What stuck with him wasn’t the numbers—it was Sam Darnold’s mindset. “Same guy every day,” he said. Win or lose, Darnold always showed up with steady focus.
“Showing up, being the same guy every single day. It didn’t matter if he had four touchdowns one week or had a not-so-great game the other week. He showed up, and he was the same guy every day. And that’s the biggest thing I took from him.”
This unusual display of admiration continued as McCarthy stepped into the spotlight. In his only preseason appearance, he completed 64.7% of his passes for 188 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Regrettably, his impressive momentum was abruptly halted by an injury. A torn meniscus in his right knee forced him out. Even though fans speculated and hoped to see ‘McCarthy action’ back on the field after his surgery, unfortunately, the Vikings’ front office ruled him out for the rest of his rookie season. It forced the young Vikings QB to shift his focus to recovery instead.
Now all that’s in the past. “I know I’m ready to start, I have a tremendous coaching staff, a tremendous group of guys around me that I can lean on, and they can lean on me,” McCarthy said. Kevin O’Connell also matched his enthusiasm, saying, “Very excited to officially get this thing going with him.” J.J. understands the weight of the opportunity. He’s not just filling a position; he’s stepping into a role shaped by a standout season. It’s a confident step forward—but one that comes with a legacy to match.
Now, McCarthy steps into the spotlight with sky-high expectations. But that’s not enough, he also needs to rise to those occasions where Darnold had fallen short in the last season. Sam Darnold had his ups and downs. The downs, especially two losses to end the year, played a big role in the Vikings’ early playoff exit. Still, he put up career-best numbers: 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 102.5 passer rating. He made the Pro Bowl and led the team to a 14–3 record. For most of the year, fans were confident he could take them deep into the playoffs.
Darnold rode his success wave into a new deal with the Seattle Seahawks of a three-year, $100.5 million deal. Darnoldtown left behind a standard, not just a stat. His Instagram post—captioned, “First day at the new job”—shows him holding up a blue jersey, number 14, signaling the start of a new chapter. While fans are eager to watch the QB maintain his upward game trajectory with the Seahawks, eyes are slowly turning on McCarthy’s takeover of the Vikings.
J.J. is itching to fill in Darnold’s cleats. He is ready to take control of the offense after spending a season on the sidelines. Fans are eager to see if he can live up to the mark the former QB left behind.
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