The Chicago Bears, following the firing of Matt Eberflus on Friday, are among three NFL teams currently seeking a new head coach for the 2025 season, with more vacancies expected to arise soon. One bold suggestion has emerged from ESPN senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler, who proposed an unconventional solution: trading for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. While head coach trades are rare, they are not unprecedented in the NFL. According to FanDuel Research, there have been eight notable trades involving head coaches, including figures like Don Shula, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and more recently, Sean Payton in 2023. Most of these trades required at least one first-round draft pick.
Kahler pitched the idea on social media, emphasizing the strong connection between O’Connell and USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is a likely top draft pick. She also pointed out O’Connell’s agent, Trace Armstrong, as a key link. Armstrong, a former Bears player and influential coaching agent, has ties to Chicago’s recent coaching hires and has worked with Lincoln Riley, Williams’ former coach at USC.
Despite the creative thinking, such a trade seems improbable. O’Connell, now in his third season with the Vikings, has achieved considerable success, leading the team to a 30-16 record since 2022, including a stellar 10-2 mark this season. The Vikings, as NFC North rivals to the Bears, are unlikely to part ways with their head coach, especially to assist a division competitor.
The proposal sparked widespread debate, with The Ringer’s Danny Heifetz questioning what it would take for Minnesota to even consider such a trade. While intriguing, the idea of O’Connell moving to Chicago remains far-fetched, though it underscores the Bears’ need for a transformative leadership move as they seek to rebuild their franchise.
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