Kevin O'Connell is doing an incredible job with the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite the trade of Kirk Cousins ​​and the absence of rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy due to a season-ending injury, the Vikings enter Thursday Night Football with a 5-1 record.

4

After Sunday's loss to NFC North rival Detroit Lions, O'Connell has a chance to get back on track against his former mentor Sean McVay and their 2-4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The rising star “KOC” was McVay’s offensive coordinator before taking over as the Vikings’ head coach in 2022.

But it was his time as a rookie third-string quarterback with the New England Patriots that laid the foundation for the 39-year-old's future career.

O'Connell came to New England as a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

He trailed Tom Brady, who had just completed an undefeated season only to lose to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, and regular backup Matt Cassel.

“I was so excited to watch this artist work,” O’Connell said of the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

Brady had not missed a game in seven seasons since being named the starter, but suffered a torn ACL in Week 1.

It thrust Cassel into the spotlight and increased responsibility for O'Connell as he tried to help his teammate prepare for games alongside legendary coach Bill Belichick.

“It’s incredible to think back on,” O’Connell told The Athletic in 2022.

“We had meetings with him, had a dialogue with him throughout the week and then just the situational football side of things – how much you can learn if you just keep your ears open and are willing to listen and take in what he's trying to do teach.

4

4

“That’s what I’ll always remember – just the connection he builds with every player on the team, no matter where you are in the squad.”

“Ultimately, you know what expectations are placed on you, and in the end you also know whether you achieved those goals or not because the communication there is so good.”

O'Connell was the perfect replacement.

“We spent so much time together this year,” Cassel said.

“We developed such a close, close friendship at that point because I always felt like he had my back no matter if it was a good day or a bad day. He was great on the sidelines and always there.

“He understood that his opportunity could come at any time and we worked really hard.

“Josh McDaniels has been great in helping him develop, spending more time with him and talking to us. We spent a lot of time in Belichick’s office breaking down film and defense with him.”

“It was just an introduction for him that was taken to a whole different level very early in the season, which was not expected.”

O'Connell moved around the NFL until his retirement in 2012 and worked in television until he began his coaching career in 2015.

His first big break came in 2019 as offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders before getting the chance to work with McVay in LA.

But it was Belichick's influence that set him on his current path.

“Anyone who gets to go (to New England) as a young player has an understanding of what Coach Belichick put together there, the great players he went through there and the great coaches Coach Belichick had with him. O'Connell told The Athletic.

“You get the opportunity to take part in Football 501 every day, learn at the highest level, get tested and experience situations where you really know where you stand.

“Ultimately, it strengthened my love for football even more and probably laid the foundation for me to enter the coaching profession.”

4

Belichick is no longer in the NFL, although he is believed to be eager to pick up the clipboard again should the right opportunity arise.

His influence on generations of coaches will last well beyond his time in the league.

O'Connell could turn out to be the best of them – and McVay won't underestimate his former student.

“I think he's done a great job in the first two years, in a variety of situations that have presented themselves. I think he has a great coaching staff,” McVay told Sports Illustrated.

“They’ve done a great job of adding players that fit the identity they want to play with.

“Kevin is a guy who has had a huge impact and influence here as a coach. That doesn't surprise me and I'm happy for these guys. We will give them our best on Thursday.”

“He’s one of my closest friends in this league,” O’Connell told Vikings.com of McVay. “I have so much love for him.

“(I will always) consider those two years (together) to be incredibly impressive.”

“Winning a Super Bowl was something I will certainly never forget.”

talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio – join us on Sunday at the New York Jets @ New England Patriots, coverage from 6pm on talkSPORT2

Catch up on the latest from across the league on our dedicated YouTube channel, including our weekly review show, Run Down.