ORLANDO — There has been a tangible shift in how Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell seems to be handling things.

Talking to reporters at TCO Performance Center in Eagan a couple of weeks ago, O’Connell lacked his usual exuberance, mourning the loss of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who left the Vikings to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. There were underlying tones of disappointment from O’Connell, as much as he tried to hide it. Maybe even some sadness after putting so much time and effort into the relationship.

Not anymore.

Talking to reporters at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando on Monday morning at the NFL’s annual owners meetings, O’Connell was much more himself, shifting the focus to the future about a month before the 2024 NFL Draft. Though he made sure to praise journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed with the Vikings recently to be a bridge from the present to the future, O’Connell was borderline romantic when he started talking about the potential of drafting the next franchise quarterback. He’s genuinely excited to be a part of the process.

“I want to be an extension of the quarterback development in our building,” O’Connell said. “I want to play a major role in that because it’s something that I love more than anything.”

The possibilities are endless with the Vikings now holding the No. 11 and 23 picks in the first round. They could make a blockbuster trade with hopes of drafting somebody like Jayden Daniels out of LSU or Drake Maye out of UNC. They could swing a smaller move with hopes of draft somebody like J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. They could stay where where they are with hopes of drafting somebody like Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington or Bo Nix out of Oregon.

What is the preferred path forward in terms of prospect? That’s a complex question that doesn’t have a simple answer.

“It’s going to be ongoing here over the next few weeks or so,” O’Connell said. “The big thing I would say is I think this is a good group (of quarterbacks in the draft).”

If the Vikings believe the next franchise quarterback is in the 2024 NFL Draft — and it sure seems like they do — expect them to be aggressive in their pursuit of that particular player. The hardest part is the fact that they don’t control their own destiny at this point.

If the Vikings want to move up to the top of the draft, they need either the Washington Commanders or New England Patriots to be willing to give up their pick. There’s no chance the Chicago Bears are party ways with the No. 1 pick. Asked about that concept, O’Connell put it best, replying, “We need another team to be complicit in that action if that ends up being the plan.”

The pieces are in place for whoever is under center for the Vikings to succeed. The cheat code that is receiver Justin Jefferson makes life a heck of a lot easier for everybody. The playmaker that is receiver Jordan Addison provides another option on offense. The security blanket that is tight end T.J. Hockenson alleviates some pressure in a pinch.

To name a few weapons.

“I feel like we’ve got an unbelievable setup,” O’Connell said. “I do feel very strongly about the opportunity that we can offer really anybody.”

Now the Vikings have to decide who that person is going to be, then see if they can make the moves necessary to get him.

“If we’re going to do something like that, that is a major, major organizational decision,” O’Connell said. “I feel very strongly that we’re going to be all on the same page about that.”

In the meantime, the Vikings will continue to do their due diligence, knowing that if they’re going to do this, they have to get it right.

“We’re not going to leave anything to chance,” O’Connell said. “That’s my philosophy on it, and I’m excited about finishing the process with our guys.”

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