Another day, another special edition of PFTPM. This one also comes like yesterday's from the NFC North, where there isn't a new coach and won't be for multiple years in the future at a minimum.

Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings announced today a deal to keep him in place as the team's

head coach.

He was hired three years ago with the four-year contract.

One year was left.

When he didn't get an extension after the 2023 season, he was not happy about that.

Her sources. It did not sit well. Per sources.

And so when talk commenced, sparked by a certain three-letter NFL news and information website back in December that maybe the Bears should pursue someone

like Kyle Shanahan or John Harbaugh or Mike McDaniel via trade.

Why not Kevin O'Connell?

Because there was an issue.

He had one year left under contract.

Without a new deal, become a free agent.

Rarely happens for NFL head coaches. Most coaches don't like to give up the burden of hand.

You're not guaranteed to find another one. There's also that concern about collusion that rattles around league circles.

From the perspective of those who have to deal with the teams, it would just as soon not see the salary scale for coaches get higher and higher and higher.

Through it all, what happened was, and the ultimate catalyst was the Week 18 Sunday splash report from Jake Laser that multiple teams were interested in trading for O'Connell.

That got the Vikings' attention if they didn't

already realize they needed to do something, and that if they weren't going to give O'Connell what

he was looking for, and if he was willing to coach out the final year of his contract, he walks

away without compensation. So this was critical to get this done. That's why we were

banging the drum from the morning after the Vikings lost in the playoffs to the L.A. Rams.

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