Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has some of the traits that turn pros into living legends, and he's close to one in particular.

The NFL head coaching vacancies are filling up fast. The Chicago Bears landed Ben Johnson, the New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, and the New York Jets got Aaron Glenn to fill their vacancies.  That's three of the seven openings filled.

Both possibilities are in play as Seattle, Las Vegas, Dallas and San Francisco decide on next coaches and play callers for 2025.

Coach Kevin O'Connell was waiting. It was the Vikings' fifth first-quarter turnover in 10 games, the most in the NFL at the time, and the issue had been addressed repeatedly in team meetings. What Jones encountered, however, was O'Connell's secret sauce. He was "stern" but not angry, Jones recalled.

Hughes’ NFL experience includes a two-year stint as the Vikings’ defensive backs coach under Bud Grant in 1982 and 1983, giving him a connection with one of the Raiders’ head coach candidates. Grant retired after the 1983 season, but returned to Minnesota in 1985 and hired Pete Carroll in Hughes’ former position.

As six NFL teams attempt to fill vacancies, here's the case for 73-year-old former Seahawks leader Pete Carroll as a viable NFL head coach in 2025.

The Minnesota Vikings were blown off the field ... Pro wide receiver Herman Moore in the Detroit Lions history books. Pete Carroll is reportedly interested and interviewing for the Chicago Bears ...

Brian Schottenheimer appears to be furthest along the road to a job offer, but Kellen Moore is more widely regarded around the league as a play-caller who is adapting to league trends.

The Las Vegas Raiders may not be able to draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft but could add one in free agency.

The Bears have confirmed interviewing 15 candidates, a list highlighted by Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who got the job in New England.

The Chicago Bears interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich for their head coaching job Saturday. The 43-year-old Flores has been running Minnesota’s defense the last two seasons after a stint as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for Pittsburgh in 2022.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is deep into his search for his next offensive coordinator after relieving first-year play caller Ryan Grubb of his duties mere hours after the 2024 season concluded.