Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts before an NFL International Series game against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "We drafted him 10th overall for a reason," O'Connell said of McCarthy in a Feb. 7 interview with CBS Sports' Bryant McFadden.

Kevin O’Connell won the NFL’s Coach Of the Year award on Thursday. The win was unsurprising, as O’Connell and the Vikings exceeded preseason expectations by going 14-3. The preseason projections were low because the Vikings had to replace Kirk Cousins and start either rookie J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell had a long message about Sam Darnold as he's set to be a free agent this offseason.

O’Connell earned the notable award by beating out substantial competition. Dan Campbell of the Lions was the runner-up, while Andy Reid of the Chiefs finished in third place. Sean Payton of the Saints and Dan Quinn of the Commanders finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Kevin O'Connell was named AP Coach of the Year at the annual NFL Honors on Thursday night, and he couldn't have done it without a breakout season from quarterback Sam Darnold. O'Connell was asked about his Pro Bowl starting quarterback and the ongoing mystery surrounding the team's future plans at the position in New Orleans,