One of the biggest branches on that tree looms in front of McVay for the first time Thursday night when Kevin O'Connell leads his Minnesota Vikings (5-1) into SoFi Stadium. O'Connell won a Super Bowl ring as McVay's offensive coordinator with the Rams (2-4).

Most Saturday evenings before a Vikings home game, the last illuminated office in the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minn., is the one overlooking the practice fields from the third floor. The final hours before kickoff are a solitary sweet spot for Kevin O’Connell to put the finishing touches on the call sheet that will remain in his hands for three hours on Sunday.