Paul Allen Chats with ‘AFC Kevin’ Stefanski & ‘NFC Kevin’ O’Connell

Stefanski pointed out the multiple points of crossover between the Browns and Vikings organizations, as well, including the fact that O’Connell’s first-ever NFL coaching job was leading the Browns QBs in 2015.

“Just think about that. Nine years later, here you are. Some things have changed. Buildings change, but some faces are still the same, right? Same thing for me [with the Vikings],” Stefanski said. “So K.O. gets to come here and see some people that he remembers from his days, and I’m getting to see a bunch of former Vikings that I spent all those years with, so it’s fun for both of us, both sides of it.”

Below are four topics Allen discussed with the coaches he affectionately referred to as “AFC Kevin” and “NFC Kevin.”

1. Shared respect for Harrison Smith

Stefanski had the privilege of seeing the first eight seasons of All-Pro safety Harrison Smith’s career, starting with the day Minnesota drafted him 29^th overall in 2012.

O’Connell took over the Vikings head coaching job in 2022 and now is coaching Smith as he enters his 13^th season in Purple.

Stefanski said Smith remains one of his favorite players he’s coached – and noted he’s not his favorite player to now coach against.

“That is not fun,” Stefanski laughed. “Because he’s so cerebral. Even today, he was doing some stuff, and I was busting his chops. He was making calls. He was making fake – I knew he was making fake calls – so he’s messing with us there. And then just the ball skills that Harry has, the [number] of balls he’s gotten to in his career – just so athletic, plays so hard.”

O’Connell said he appreciates when Smith, 35, visits his office for a cup of coffee and a chat about Xs and Os.

“When you have a guy that’s played as long as Harry has, sometimes it’s good for him, too – therapeutic to be around somebody a little closer to his age up in the head ball coach’s office,” joked O’Connell, who turned 39 this spring. “But I really value people that are the same version of themselves, which is great every day, authentic. You know exactly what you’re going to get.

“I can lean on him. He’s such an unbelievable leader in how he does it. His leadership style, I think, is really one of one,” O’Connell added. “And I can say he’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached, as long as Justin Jefferson’s not about 15 feet away – and then we’ve got a problem. But no, I absolutely love him.”