McVay’s Coaching Tree Faces Off in High-Stakes NFL Playoff Showdown

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Head coach Sean McVay‘s coaching legacy will be on full display Monday night as his Los Angeles Rams face off against former assistant Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings in a high-stakes NFL wild-card playoff game. The matchup marks a reunion of McVay’s coaching tree, with O’Connell being one of six former assistants who have gone on to lead their own NFL teams.

O’Connell, who served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2020, has found success in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season and a playoff berth in his second year as head coach. His ability to develop quarterback Sam Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick, has been a key factor in the team’s resurgence. “Kevin’s done an incredible job building an offense that plays to the strengths of his players,” McVay said during a press conference. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

McVay’s coaching tree has produced mixed results across the league. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur leads the group with a .683 regular-season winning percentage, thanks in part to three consecutive 13-win seasons with Aaron Rodgers. O’Connell is close behind with a .667 winning percentage, while others, like former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, have struggled to replicate McVay’s success.

The Rams, meanwhile, are looking to break a Monday Night Football losing streak that dates back to their 2021 playoff victory. Since then, they have lost four consecutive Monday games, including a Week 10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers this season. A win against the Vikings would not only end that streak but also mark the Rams’ first playoff victory since their Super Bowl LVI win in 2022.

For O’Connell, the game represents an opportunity to prove himself against his mentor. “Sean has been a huge influence on my career,” O’Connell said. “But this is about our team and our season. We’re focused on advancing.”

The winner of Monday’s game will face the Detroit Lions in the divisional round next week, keeping their Super Bowl hopes alive.