The Minnesota Vikings have been practicing in Eagan this week. We’ve seen photos and videos of just about every notable player on roster, other than Justin Jefferson, who has not yet been spotted at voluntary “Phase 1” of MN Vikings offseason workouts.
Jefferson wasn’t the only notable face missing, though. No matter how hard you look, you will not see head coach Kevin O’Connell out on the TCO Performance Center practice fields this week. Why? Because he and most of his coaching staff are not allowed to be there.
Minnesota Vikings coaches face heavy restrictions during Phase 1 of NFL offseason workouts
On Wednesday, O’Connell did an interview with Kay Adams on the Up and Adams Show, where he surprised her with this information and detailed some of the restrictions placed on NFL coaches during Phase 1 of the 9-week voluntary offseason workout period.
Why won’t Kevin O’Connell name JJ MCCarthy the starter??!!#Skol @Vikings pic.twitter.com/zrYYarcyvL
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) April 30, 2025
Adams: “What did you pick up and learn yesterday from “JJ McCarthy?”
O’Connell: “So what you’ll notice about that video, Kay, is that there can’t be coaches out there yet. So I was hard at work up in my office and next week we get to get on the grass with the guys for Phase 2 of the offseason program. But that doesn’t stop me from asking Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones how it went. The guys were just really excited to get back and get working together.”
Up and Adams Show
That’s right… while Kevin O’Connell’s players are all practicing on the field in Eagan, O’Connell has to sit up in his office, completely oblivious to how guys — like a recovering JJ McCarthy — look out there in live action. Of course, KOC puts on a brave face, but Kay is right, it has to eat at him knowing his guys are down there and he can’t coach them.
Related: Mel Kiper Grades 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class…
A closer look at the NFL offseason rulebook gives a more detailed explanation of exactly what is allowed and not allowed during Phase 1 of these workouts. The only coaches allowed out on the field with players are strength and conditioning coaches. No defensive coordinator Brian Flores or QB coach Josh McCown, etc.
Other Phase 1 restrictions on MN Vikings, other teams (NFLPA website):
- 90 minute max on the field
- Clubs can only specify 2 hours for players to be at the facility
- Players choose the other 2 hours for weights, etc.
- “Dead Ball” activities only
- QBs can throw to receivers (no coverage only)
- Kickers and punters can kick (no snappers, holders, blockers, etc)
- No catching footballs for defensive players, period.
The very end of Kevin’s interview suddenly gets interesting when, after talking about a few other topics, Kay brings it back to the Phase 1 restrictions on coaches being on the practice field with players.
Big changes coming to NFL offseason?
If you are surprised by this, don’t feel bad, so is she. But as the exit music sounds O’Connell mentions that the rules currently in place may not be there for much longer… Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough time to expand on the conversation.
Today on the @heykayadams, Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell talked about some of the restrictions coaches face during Phase 1 of NFL offseason workouts. He doesn’t seem to be a fan and expects major changes to the schedule very soon… 👀
“[The NFL offseason has] unique rules, I don’t… pic.twitter.com/JA1EbKHFs1
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 1, 2025
Adams: “Right now, they can be in the facility throwing, [players] are there doing stuff and you can’t be there?”
O’Connell: “Yeah, Phase 1 rules. We get them for four hours. I have to limit myself — the guys always put me on the clock in the team meetings anyway because I can get going and go for a long time — so I have to limit that, and give the coaches time to start coaching their rooms, the offense, defense and special teams, and then they lift and get some running in.
But this time of year, Kay, is about those guys coming back in the building and spending some time together. Getting in the weight room together, getting bigger, faster, stronger. And then we slowly but surely start incorporating us coaches out on the field with them when the time is right.
But unique rules, I don’t know how much longer we’ll have the offseason in its present form. But it is what it is right now and we’re going to maximize it.”
Up and Adams Show
The current NFL CBA runs through 2030. That means, if major changes are going to happen to the current offseason structure, those changes would have to be negotiated between the league and the players association with some sort of amendment.
Related: Randy Moss’ Son Invited to Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp
Could that take place as early as the 2026 offseason? We’ll see. That’s why it was interesting to hear O’Connell talk about it like he did. Hopefully, we can get a more expanded explanation soon enough.
More About:Minnesota Vikings