Slater, Belichick recall O’Connell’s Patriots roots

There will be a familiar face on the sideline across from the Patriots this Thursday night when the Patriots take on the Minnesota Vikings as their 2008 third-round pick Kevin O’Connell has risen up the coaching ranks to land his first head coaching gig and will now take on his former team. O’Connell spent just one season with the Patriots, occupying a role as Matt Cassel’s backup during the year that Tom Brady was injured and lost in the opening quarter of the first game, but it was a foundational football year for both the player and his teammates and coaches around him.

“What an opportunity it was for me to go there and be around the people and coaches there, it really started my football journey,” O’Connell told Rich Eisen this past offseason. “I feel like it helped me, I feel like it put me in the best possible place to be where I’m at now, where my feet are planted. I’m very grateful for my time there.”

O’Connell had a five-year career as a player, spending time with Lions, Jets, Dophins and Chargers after his year with the Patriots, before transitioning to coaching in 2015. First, he joined the Browns as the quarterbacks coach, then was an addition to Chip Kelly’s staff in San Francisco in the same capacity. He’d rise up the ranks in Washington, promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019, then joined Sean McVay’s Rams in 2020 where he spent two seasons as the OC, winning the Super Bowl in 2021 which opened the opportunity to become Minnesota’s head coach.

“Yeah, smart, smart kid out of San Diego, had a lot of things to like about him, his size, arm, and all that,” said Bill Belichick, recalling O’Connell’s arrival in 2008. “He’s done a heck of a job and climbed through the coaching ranks quickly. Based on the way the Vikings are playing this year, you could see why he’s done it. He’s done a great job.”

“I know I’m old now playing against my old draft mate,” said Matthew Slater, also a 2008 draft selection by the Patriots. “If you asked me who would be a head…