Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks onto the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer revealed that multiple NFL teams were interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Vikings announcer Paul Allen initially expressed skepticism regarding the legitimacy of the report.

But upon further review, Allen’s issue isn’t with Glazer; in fact, he believes the NFL insider must have had solid information.

Rather, the longtime Vikings radio voice has a problem with whoever leaked the trade rumor on the eve of Minnesota’s highly anticipated winner-take-all NFC North showdown against the Detroit Lions.

“It’s the timing. I’m just gonna lay it out like this: if that rumor came from Kevin O’Connell’s agent — and I don’t even know what his agent’s name is — shame on him and shame on everybody involved with that rumor if it came from there,” Allen said during Tuesday’s episode of his daily radio show on KFAN FM 1003. “Because it deflects attention from a game that day to secure a one-seed for a 14-win team.”

Allen proceeded to reflect on what it was like to be around the Vikings when Glazer’s report was first made public, as well as after the team’s season-ending defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round on Monday night.

“I don’t know where this thing came from, man, but I just know what it was like being in Troy, Michigan, at the team hotel when it popped and then the conversations on the sideline before the game, and the conversations after the game, and some conversations I had last night with people about the future of the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings,” Allen continued.

“When that thing popped up the way it did, I’m just starting to try to figure out — I’m not going to pursue this, but like, how? Why? Why at that time? And if it came from anybody associated with Kevin O’Connell’s camp, I’m just going to say it as bluntly as I can: shame on you. That’s selfish and it lacks self awareness and it jettisons the totality of a team and it takes it from thy to I.”

Allen made it clear on multiple occasions that he didn’t know whether or not the trade rumor did, in fact, come from O’Connell’s camp. He also stated that he’d be “flabbergasted” if the Vikings head coach didn’t wind up with a contract extension to remain in Minnesota.

All things considered, Allen’s frustration is understandable, especially considering that the Vikings went on to suffer blowout losses to the Lions and Rams, bringing a sudden end to Minnesota’s once promising season. It’s also a grievance that is presumably shared by many Vikings fans, with Allen’s ability to give voice to it being what has made him such a beloved figure in the Twin Cities.

Conversely, one could argue that regardless of who leaked it, the Vikings deserve their share of the blame for the situation. After all, such rumors were only possible because the team had failed to already sign the presumptive NFL Coach of the Year to a long-term deal, with the final year of his current contract now approaching.

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.