Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell grieves Rondale Moore, acknowledges ‘unique challenge of mental health’

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell referred to wide receiver Rondale Moore as “one that got away” following Moore’s death Saturday, Feb. 21, at the age of 25.

Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski also acknowledged Moore’s passing when he and O’Connell talked to local Twin Cities media Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the NFL scouting combine.

Vikings Director of Player Engagement Jasper Brinkley visited with Moore’s family within hours of Moore’s death, O’Connell said. The team will continue to support Moore’s family, he added later.

Moore, who signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March 2025, spent little time with the team at TCO Performance Center after suffering a season-ending knee injury on his first preseason punt return snap Aug. 9.

O’Connell said Moore rehabilitated the injury off-site and that the Vikings felt they couldn’t “have the same level [of] impact that we pride ourselves on with our players within our building and the resources we do have.”

“It feels in many ways from my chair of how I like to make sure I’m making it about the player, for the player, with the player and their best interest in mind, it feels like kind of one that got away in many ways for me,” O’Connell said. “It’s been tough to kind of work through that.”

Moore is suspected to have died at a residence in Indiana from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, New Albany police chief Todd Bailey said in a statement. An investigation is still ongoing after an autopsy was completed Sunday, according to the Floyd County Coroner’s Office.

“That is a place where we gotta continue to find every and all avenue of reaching these guys and making sure even ones that maybe aren’t calling out for help may need it,” O’Connell said. “That’s the unique challenge of mental health.”

Brzezinski also noted the passing of defensive back Ronyell Whitaker, who died Sunday at the age of 46. Whitaker played for the Vikings from 2006 to 2007 and spent time with the NFC North rival Detroit Lions in 2008 before landing in the Canadian Football League.

“We care a lot about our players, our alumni, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” Brzezinski said.

The Vikings’ 2026 coaching staff is finalized with 27 members, including O’Connell.

Three more hires were announced Tuesday, along with seven promotions and one title change. The new additions are Kyle Caskey on the offensive quality control staff, Chili Davis as an assistant special teams coach and Will Johnson as a defensive assistant.

Davis replaces Dalmin Gibson, who has been with the team for three seasons and was promoted to assistant linebackers coach.

“That background has always been something that he wanted to get back to at some point as one of our better young coaches,” O’Connell said. “[Defensive coordinator Brian Flores] was kind of waiting and picking a spot to request his presence a little bit more. I had to fight off [special teams coordinator] Matt Daniels for him."

Other promotions included Josh McCown taking on offensive pass game coordinator duties in addition to coaching quarterbacks, and assistant quarterbacks coach Jordan Traylor receiving a passing game specialist title.

O’Connell said both received interest from elsewhere this offseason — McCown has previously interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Houston Texans (2024) and the New York Jets (2025) — but wanted to stay within the organization.

As for previously announced additions and promotions, O’Connell highlighted new defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander as a “big-time hire.”

“That backend coach for Flo is a top lieutenant for him, so wanted to make sure we brought in a guy that had some familiarity,” O’Connell said.