Kevin O'Connell's history of QB reclamation projects: Kyler Murray follows Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones to save NFL career

When a former premiere NFL quarterback is heading downward in their career, typically toward "backup land" due to their lack of performance as one of 32 starters, there's recently been one place they go, hoping to revive their production: the Minnesota Vikings.

Ever since Kevin O'Connell took over in Minnesota, the franchise has slowly become a type of dream situation for a quarterback. From the talent in the offense, including star receiver Justin Jefferson, to O'Connell's reputation as a quarterback whisperer, it's where former first-round picks and failed stars can go to learn while spending time away from the spotlight and focusing on their development.

By now, it's becoming a trend with O'Connell: when quarterbacks sign with the Vikings, they have come out of the experience as a better player, whether they're a starter or backup. With their most recent quarterback signing, former Arizona Cardinals star Kyler Murray, O'Connell will have yet another reclamation project ahead of him in 2026.

Here's a breakdown of the many quarterbacks who have re-ignited their NFL careers under O'Connell's guidance in Minnesota, a list Murray will hope to join.

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Kevin O'Connell history of QB reclamation projects

O'Connell took over as the Vikings head coach in 2022 — he's spent four seasons in Minnesota after previously being the offensive coordinator under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams.

Here's a look at three quarterbacks whose careers he's helped in the most direct fashion.

Kirk Cousins

Because he was already a member of the Vikings' roster when O'Connell became head coach in 2022, Kirk Cousins doesn't fit the "reclamation" mold the same way the other two passers here do. But still, it is notable how O'Connell helped Cousins remain elite in Minnesota, which, in turn, helped him secure a $180 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons in free agency as one of the highest-paid NFL players ever.

Cousins had been in Minnesota for four seasons already when O'Connell was hired in 2022. And, in fairness, O'Connell's first season with the Vikings resulted in a career-high 14 interceptions for Cousins, albeit with 29 touchdown passes and a 13-4 record to make the playoffs. 

But there is certainly something to be said of O'Connell's influence on Cousins' career. Not only did a 34-year-old Cousins lead the Vikings to a playoff bid in 2022, being named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career, but in 2023, Cousins threw 18 touchdown passes vs. five interceptions in just eight games before an injury ended his season.

The following offseason, Cousins left Minnesota for a hefty, $180 million contract with the Falcons, cementing himself as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks ever despite never being considered an MVP-level player. And if O'Connell's influence on Cousins can be reflected in one stat, it's the veteran quarterback's interception total in 2024 as a new starter in Atlanta: 16 picks, which led the league and resulted in his benching.

Cousins' best statistical seasons didn't come under O'Connell, but the Vikings coach did play a significant role in helping Cousins secure a huge contract after some success in Minnesota together.

Below is a look at Cousins' numbers in 2021, before O'Connell's arrival, and his combined numbers over 21 games in 2022 and 2023 with the Vikings:

Sam Darnold

Considering Sam Darnold went from New York Jets bust, to failed Carolina Panthers starter, to San Francisco 49ers backup, then became one of the best quarterbacks in the league under O'Connell, his story is by far the most successful of the reclamation projects. Now a Super Bowl champion, all of Darnold's recent success began in Minnesota.

By age 26, Darnold was a backup on the 49ers after quickly flaming out as a quarterback who was once thought to be the next elite pocket passer. His USC stardom led him to the Jets, but Darnold never broke through in New York, dealing with interceptions and a low completion rate annually.

In Carolina, his second stop, no more success followed. He had a losing record as a starter in each of his four first NFL seasons.

There's certainly something to be said of Darnold's stint in San Francisco, another common landing spots for quarterbacks seeking to rekindle their talent. But it was when he became QB1 in Minnesota that everything clicked for the former first-round pick.

In the 2024 season, after rookie J.J. McCarthy's injury allowed Darnold to claim the Vikings' starting job, he took full advantage by posting career-highs across the board, leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record and becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league. O'Connell found the star inside Darnold, and it resulted in one of the most unlikely seasons in the history of the franchise.

Darnold's one-year success under O'Connell began his upward trajectory; the following offseason, he inked a bigger deal with the Seattle Seahawks, led the team to a 14-3 record in 2025 while throwing 25 touchdown passes, and won a Super Bowl by February 2025.

There may never be a bigger up-and-down quarterback story than Darnold's in the NFL, and O'Connell can largely be thanked for the highs. 

Below is a look at Darnold's career numbers prior to 2024, when he joined O'Connell with the Vikings, and his combined numbers the 2024 and 2025 seasons as a member of the Vikings and Seahawks:

Daniel Jones

The most recent example of a O'Connell reclamation project never even saw game action for the Vikings. Daniel Jones, after being released by the New York Giants during the 2024 NFL season, signed with Minnesota in free agency and spent the second half of the year as a QB3 on the team's depth chart.

Even when he first signed with the Vikings, Jones' relationship with O'Connell and belief in re-igniting his career played a big role:

A key factor in Daniel Jones signing with the #Vikings was his relationship with HC Kevin O’Connell, which actually dates back to the pre-draft process. I’m told the two maintained positive communication over the past few days, with KOC believing not only in Jones’ talent, but… https://t.co/D26G4prQgS

Because Jones never played for the Vikings, there's not as much direct proof that O'Connell played a role in his bounce-back that followed with the Indianapolis Colts. But considering Jones was coming off back-to-back dreadful seasons with the Giants in 2023 and 2024, O'Connell had to have been a factor.

In his first post-Vikings season, Jones became a revelation for the Colts, providing the team with the steadiest quarterback play it had had in years. His 19 touchdowns in 13 games, before a season-ending injury, resulted in Jones being rewarded with a two-year, $88 million extension in March 2026.

For a more condense look at Jones' pre-Vikings and post-Vikings numbers, here's a comparison of his 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Giants vs. 2025 with the Colts:

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Kyler Murray career stats

Now, it will be Murray who hopes to join the likes of Cousins, Darnold and Jones as veteran passers to revive their NFL careers under O'Connell in Minnesota. The former Cardinals No. 1 overall pick has certainly showed flashes of stardom in Arizona, but he never broke through as "elite" as anticipated.

Murray's rushing skills will be unlike any of the other quarterbacks O'Connell has worked with in Minnesota. How the former Oklahoma star fares as a dual-threat option will be intriguing to monitor as he embarks on a stint with the Vikings.

Here's a look at Murray's career numbers entering his Vikings run in 2026:

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