​The Minnesota Vikings have not won a playoff game on Kevin O’Connell’s watch — he’s been in charge for four seasons — and unless that changes, he could be the proverbial hot seat, according to SB Nation‘s Bill Williamson.He published a list last week for surprise skippers who could face the music after the 2026 campaign, and for better or worse, O’Connell made the cut.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches pregame warmups at Lumen Field, studying his players as Seattle prepares for the late-season matchup. On Nov. 30, 2025, O’Connell surveys the field before kickoff while Minnesota completes its final preparations and readies for another difficult road test in the Pacific Northwest that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images.Williamson: O’Connell May Be on the Hot SeatOn a list that included Detroit Lions boss Dan Campbell, Williamson scribed, “O’Connell’s situation is similar to Campbell’s. He is considered an excellent coach and he won the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2024, but if he fails to lead the Vikings to the playoffs for a second straight year, there could be consequences, especially if the quarterback situation is a mess again.”“He was hired partly because of his prowess as a quarterback whisperer. If progress isn’t made, he could be in trouble. Remember, new Minnesota general manager Nolan Teasley doesn’t have ties to O’Connell, so he must prove himself in 2026.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDavid Canales (Carolina Panthers), Demeco Ryans (Houston Texans), and Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders) also made the cut for fringe hot-seat contenders.The Logic Is Not TerribleWhile most Vikings fans exalt O’Connell as a wonderful head coach — he has the NFL’s fifth-best winning percentage on his watch — Williamson’s classification of the hot seat is not outrageous.For example, how much longer would the Vikings’ ownership group and new general manager Nolan Teasley allow O’Connell to stick around without a playoff win? The clock has reached four years. Is it five years? Six? Or — the year is 2028, and the Vikings haven’t won a postseason game with O’Connell in charge. Does the man just have untouchable job security?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the last several decades, these coaches, like O’Connell, have entered Year No. 5 without a playoff win:Jeff Fisher (Titans)Dennis Green (Vikings)Dick Jauron (Bears)Kevin O’Connell (Vikings)Dan Reeves (Broncos)Jim Schwartz (Lions)David Shula (Bengals)Norv Turner (Commanders)Dave Wannstedt (Bears)Sam Wyche (Bengals)None ultimately won a Super Bowl, though Wyche and the Bengals reached the big game in 1988.Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stands on the field before facing Dallas at AT&T Stadium, taking in the scene as players complete their pregame work. On Dec. 14, 2025, O’Connell watches warmups and prepares for kickoff while Minnesota g