EAGAN, Minn. — It’s a baby girl for Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and his wife, Leah.
The couple welcomed their fourth child Friday night.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the Vikings said: “Mom and baby are doing great.”
O’Connell accompanied the team on its scheduled flight Saturday afternoon in advance of Sunday’s game at the Washington Commanders.
In his first season as the Vikings’ coach, O’Connell has compiled a 6-1 record and the team has a 3.5-game lead in the NFC North entering Week 9.
The initial NFL free agency rush of 2024 was more frenetic than ever, as hundreds of players were given millions of dollars to relocate to new cities.
Leading the way were a pair of former Pro Bowl quarterbacks looking to rekindle old success in new locales, but Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson were hardly alone in making a move this March. Several marquee running backs are now with new franchises, the interior offensive line market was more robust than it has ever been and the two best defensive tackles in the NFL made big news in completely different ways.
We had our NFL Nation writers review pro football’s version of March Madness. Which teams made big moves, which teams looked to rein in costs and which teams were looking to keep their own free agents to run it back? We break down all 32 teams, starting with a playoff team that has mostly stood pat thus far.
Marquee additions: Eric Kendricks (LB)
Marquee subtractions: Tyron Smith (OT), Tony Pollard (RB), Dorance Armstrong (DE)
Did the Cowboys hit their free agency goals? No, but free agency isn’t over. They were never going to pay big money for free agents, and they set their limits on where they would go on their own players. Now they have a roster that is not as good as the one that made the 2023 playoffs.
One thing we heard: Word has it Kendricks took less from the Cowboys than he had from the 49ers. Call it the power of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer or a major difference in cost of living and taxes between Texas and northern California.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Just one? Losing Smith hurts the most of all their departures, so it looks like finding his replacement at left tackle in the first round of the draft is something of a must. They don’t have a starting tailback at the moment, so this will test the “You can find running backs anywhere” theory. — Todd Archer
New York Giants
Marquee additions: Brian Burns (LB), Jon Runyan Jr. (G), Devin Singletary (RB)
Marquee subtractions: Saquon Barkley (RB), Xavier McKinney (S)
Did the Giants hit their free agency goals? You can only do so much in one offseason, and the top priorities were to solidify the offensive line and improve the pass rush. They succeeded, even if they’re worse off at running back and in the secondary as a result. But Burns is better than any pass-rusher that was on the market and the line has four new reinforcements.
One thing we heard: “Daniel Jones is the starter of this team,” quarterback Drew Lock said at his introductory news conference. “That has been conveyed to me.”
Biggest remaining roster hole: The Giants still don’t have a No. 1 wide receiver for Jones. It may be addressed in free agency or via trade, but right now the group is headlined by Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt. — Jordan Raanan
Mel Kiper Jr. wants to see the Giants draft a receiver with the No. 6 pick to help Daniel Jones in his development.
Philadelphia Eagles
Marquee additions: Saquon Barkley (RB), Bryce Huff (edge), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S)
Marquee subtractions: D’Andre Swift (RB), Kevin Byard (S)
Did the Eagles hit their free agency goals? To a degree. The secondary needed some serious work, and they gave it a boost with the Gardner-Johnson reunion. But they have work yet to do, particularly at corner. Linebacker was the other trouble spot, and they added Devin White and Oren Burks, which is a decent start. The biggest splash was on the offensive side of the ball with the signing of Barkley. While a star running back was not the most pressing need, it does elevate the ceiling for an offense that slipped down the stretch last season and is trying to regain dominant form.
One thing we heard: “You want to be somewhere so bad to the point where you can’t control certain things. Certain things were said but there was no meaning to it. I’m back, so I guess we’re all happy. Family reunion.” — Gardner-Johnson, on why he took some parting shots at Philly after leaving in free agency last offseason, including calling the fans “f—ing obnoxious.”
Biggest remaining roster hole: Cornerback. The Eagles need to decide whether to release James Bradberry, who struggled opposite Darius Slay in 2023. They could address the position in free agency or by trade, though the draft also seems like a pretty strong bet at this point. — Tim McManus
Washington Commanders
Marquee additions: Frankie Luvu (LB), Bobby Wagner (LB), Austin Ekeler (RB)
Marquee subtractions: Kendall Fuller (CB), Kamren Curl (S), Sam Howell (QB)
Did the Commanders hit their free agency goals? Yes. Washington signed five new starters on defense and three on offense, in addition to a third-down back and a place-kicker. They added a veteran quarterback (Marcus Mariota) to help mentor whichever rookie they draft. The Commanders aren’t stuck with bad contracts and have maintained the ability to build through the draft.
One thing we heard: Washington signed older veterans, almost all to one-year deals, to help new coach Dan Quinn establish his standard. “Leadership comes from the top down as far as the culture you’re trying to set,” Ekeler said. “It’s not necessarily stuff that is measurable, but it helps you increase the things that are.”
Biggest remaining roster hole: Offensive tackle. Cornerback would be another easy one, but Washington needs to be able to protect the rookie quarterback it will presumably draft. The Commanders cut left tackle Charles Leno Jr., and they lack a replacement on the roster. Fortunately for them, the draft is deep at this position. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Marquee additions: Keenan Allen (WR), D’Andre Swift (RB), Kevin Byard (S)
Marquee subtractions: Justin Fields (QB), Darnell Mooney (WR), Justin Jones (DT)
Did the Bears hit their free agency goals? One of the Bears’ goals was to set up their next QB, likely USC’s Caleb Williams, with better playmakers. So they sent a fourth-round pick to the Chargers for Allen, and they upgraded the running back room with Swift, who is coming off a career year (1,049 rushing yards). They also acquired tight end Gerald Everett.
One thing we heard: Coleman Shelton played 1,113 snaps at center for the Rams in 2023, but don’t be surprised if Ryan Bates, who was acquired from Buffalo, ends up starting there this season. Chicago needs to set up its rookie quarterback for success by solidifying the center position and has been invested in getting Bates on the roster since an attempt that fell through in 2022.
Biggest remaining roster hole: What will the Bears do with their two first-round picks? After trading Fields to Pittsburgh, the Bears own the No. 1 pick in the draft and will select a quarterback. But they could go a number of directions at No. 9. Is that where they find the pass-rusher who will start opposite Montez Sweat? Another wide receiver to aid the rookie QB’s development? That could also be a prime spot in the draft order to trade back and recoup a couple of picks. — Courtney Cronin
Detroit Lions
Marquee additions: DJ Reader (DT), Kevin Zeitler (OG), Marcus Davenport (OLB)
Marquee subtractions: C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S), Jonah Jackson (OG), Anthony Pittman (LB)
Did the Lions hit their free agency goals? Yes. Upgrading the defense, particularly in the secondary, was a major need for the Lions this offseason, and GM Brad Holmes addressed this area aggressively with the additions of Reader, Davenport and cornerback Amik Robertson. They also traded for former Tampa Bay CB Carlton Davis III.
One thing we heard: “These guys got that same taste in their mouth that I got. I got to the Super Bowl [LVI] and lost. These guys got to the NFC championship and lost. So, everybody in this building has that same goal to go get that taste out their mouth and I’m so ecstatic about that part. I can run through a wall about it right now because you don’t get time to right those wrongs, and this is an opportunity, and I don’t think like we’re going to take it lightly as a team to go out there and do our thing.” — Reader on joining the Lions.
Biggest remaining roster hole: Although the Lions picked up key defensive additions, they could still benefit from adding more talent to the secondary, particularly another cornerback. They allowed 34 completions of 20-plus air yards, which tied for the second most in the NFL last season. There’s still room for improvement. — Eric Woodya
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