Thielen impressed by Vikings' new offense: 'Everything' makes sense

First-year head coach Kevin O'Connell's new offensive system is already turning heads inside the Minnesota Vikings' facility.

"It's wild. It's the most learning I've ever had to do," veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen said on "The Pat McAfee Show" Tuesday. "I'm swimming a little bit, but it's fun. Again, that's part of the rejuvenation. I'm excited to come to work because I'm excited to learn a new offense; I'm excited to learn what we're gonna install."

The Vikings hired the 37-year-old O'Connell to replace Mike Zimmer, a longtime defensive-minded coach who patrolled Minnesota's sideline from 2014-21. O'Connell spent the past two seasons on the Los Angeles Rams' coaching staff, working with one of football's brightest offensive minds in head coach Sean McVay.

"Everything we're doing makes sense," Thielen said. "Everything looks alike, acts alike, feels alike. The terminology makes sense. It's a lot, though."

He added: "I'm trying to figure out ways, as an old man, to learn fast and to figure out the little details."

Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook also has some learning to do. O'Connell recently said he explored different formations with Cook during Minnesota's organized team activities, including lining him up as a wideout.

"He's lining up at receiver, he's running the football. Shoot, we might even let him throw the football just to give everybody a little something to prepare for," O'Connell said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast." "He's working every single day, he's so motivated, he wants to win, and he's leading not only that running back group, but he's a major part of our entire football team."

The Vikings' offense averaged 25 points per game last season, ranking 14th in the NFL. It was the team's worst ranking since 2018.

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