{
  "id": 16964689,
  "title": "Stephen A. Smith: Kevin O’Connell is lucky to have a job amid 6-0 start",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/stephen-a-smith-kevin-oconnell-is-lucky-to-have-a-job-amid-6-0-start",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T22:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stephen-smith-kevin-o-connell-220006151.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the Minnesota Vikings' 6-0 start to the season, expressing concern over head coach Kevin O'Connell's performance. O'Connell has been criticized for struggling to fully utilize Minnesota's star quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who had a successful rookie year despite a torn meniscus. Smith questioned the lack of progress in securing a more consistent offensive option, noting that the team's struggles began when they handed McCarthy the starting role without prior NFL experience. Additionally, Smith pointed to the GM's firing last season as an example of poor decision-making that led to the Colts' acquisition of star running back Jonathon Taylor, which now places even more pressure on the Vikings' struggling offense.",
  "summary": "The 6-0 Minnesota Vikings are the last undefeated team in the NFL and have division wins over both the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Still, the vibes around the franchise have been surprisingly low, in large part because, although Minnesota’s defense has been arguably the best unit in the league, its offense has…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}