Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to quarterback development while defensive coordinator Brian Flores just got some high-quality parts for his scheme in the early days of NFL free agency.

The Vikings could have tagged Darnold and tried to trade him to get a return, but The Athletic's Alec Lewis and ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted that teams would be unlikely to spend a draft pick on Darnold and then pay him.

Athletes at the NFL Combine get bigger, faster, and stronger every year. But Kevin O'Connell, who participated in the 2008 Combine and was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots in that draft, can hold bragging rights over the Minnesota Vikings quarterback room.