When Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that multiple NFL teams were interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, it sparked intense scrutiny not just about the validity of the report but about Glazer’s timing and the origins of the story. While Glazer’s credibility wasn’t the primary concern, some, including Vikings announcer Paul Allen, initially questioned his reporting. Like other NFL insiders — Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Adam Schefter, and Jonathan Jones — Glazer often withholds certain information until the NFL’s Sunday morning pregame shows, creating an incentive for fans to tune in.
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lists: Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He has one year remaining on his deal after the season and a few teams have an interest in possibly trying to TRADE for him. @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TipEYM6FF6— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 5, 2025
Allen didn’t hold back, publicly criticizing the alleged leaker behind the O’Connell trade rumors, accusing them of disrupting the team before a crucial Week 18 matchup for the NFC’s top seed. By Tuesday, the situation took a significant turn when O’Connell secured a multi-year extension with Minnesota, dispelling any speculation about a potential trade and ensuring he wouldn’t enter the 2025 season as a lame-duck coach.
Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team expressed skepticism about Glazer’s report, questioning the timing and impact on a team focused on a high-stakes game. While he acknowledged interest in O’Connell was genuine, he argued that the leaked timing was detrimental to the Vikings.
I have so many questions about the Kevin O’Connell trade story that dropped on the morning of Week 18. While I’m sure teams were interested in trading for him, the timing couldn’t have been worse for the #Vikings, given they were playing for the No. 1 seed that night.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2025
In response, Glazer defended his reporting, stating that the timing was aligned with when Fox NFL SUNDAY airs. He emphasized that every year he drops significant news during this segment, indicating that he holds back information to share exclusively on FOX.
Welp, the timing was because that is when our show airs Fox NFL SUNDAY. Not Wednesday or Thursday. SUNDAY. Every year for probably the last 15 years the same weekend I do my ANNUAL coaching carousel segment and usually drop nuggets that day that aren’t known. I don’t work for… https://t.co/fo61q4pHnK
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 21, 2025
Glazer also clarified that he never reported O’Connell was being traded, just that interest existed from multiple teams. He stated that the Vikings acted wisely to quickly secure O’Connell’s future with the franchise. Although O’Connell’s contract extension details weren’t immediately available, it resolved one of the oddest narratives of the current coaching cycle. The situation was exacerbated by Glazer’s reporting but also stemmed from O’Connell entering the final year of his initial contract as head coach, which he signed in 2022.
While the extension felt inevitable, the stakes without a deal were high, potentially allowing O’Connell to pursue the highest-paid head coach position in NFL history. After a 2023 offseason filled with frustrations regarding contract negotiations, O’Connell ended the season with a 14-3 record despite a difficult playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Ultimately, while O’Connell’s future with the Vikings is now secured, the timing of the initial report continues to raise questions. Glazer maintains that he did his job, sharing what was happening behind the scenes without any intent to harm the team’s interests.
“Did my job reporting what was going on behind the scenes in some of these searches,” Glazer stated. “This narrative that I reported it to screw the Vikings when they were going to play the Lions is the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever read… and I’ve read some realllly dumb sh*t over the years. Hope this helps.”
