Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said after Monday night's loss to the Rams that quarterback Sam Darnold has a "special place in my heart" because of the way he played this season.

Kevin O'Connell stood in front of reporters on Thursday and tried to explain how Sam Darnold and the offense came up short in the season’s most

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell seemed to speak about quarterback Sam Darnold with an air of finality after the team's wild-card round loss vs. the Rams.

Sam Darnold was supposed to be a one-year bridge to J.J. McCarthy, who would have had a chance to earn the starting job during the season. But then McCarthy hurt his knee, Minnesota sidelined him for his rookie campaign and Darnold went on to throw for more than 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell defended quarterback Sam Darnold but made a blunt admission after a season-ending loss ot the Rams.

Sam Darnold had a nightmare showing vs. the Rams under the brightest lights. Here's what his head coach had to say about it.

In the immediate aftermath of the Vikings’ shocking 27-9 upset loss to the Rams to close out wildcard weekend, Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell made it a point

Last summer, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell gave J.J. McCarthy a ringing endorsement as the team's quarterback of the future. "Everyone should be excited that we got our young franchise quarterback in the building,” O’Connell said in August after McCarthy underwent season-ending knee surgery.

The quarterback position was central to the conversation at the end of season press conferences that the Vikings held on Thursday.

The end of the Minnesota Vikings' season led to some big questions in the offseason. Among them, is Sam Darnold part of the Vikings' plans? Where does 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy fit into them?

Standing in their way are the Washington Commanders, a team that completed an even faster turnaround after a four-win season a year ago. Washington won its wild-card clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks to the outstanding performance of rookie quarterback phenom Jayden Daniels (and some help from the right upright on a game-winning field goal attempt).