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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By MICHAEL BALSAMO and COLLEEN LONG (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — Two properties belonging to rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’ in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation in New York, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

It’s not clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

In a statement, Homeland Security Investigations said it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”

Messages to Combs’ lawyers and other representatives seeking comment were not immediately returned.

There have been several sexual assault lawsuits filed against Combs in recent months.

In February a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs’ attorney Shawn Holley has said of those allegations that “we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.”

Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, sued him in November alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape. The lawsuit said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them. The suit was settled the day after it was filed.

Another of Combs’ accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly as Cassie did.

Combs said in a statement, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”

Combs is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. Formerly known as Puff Daddy, he built one of hip-hop’s biggest empires, blazing a trail with several entities attached to his famous name. He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

Combs created the fashion clothing line Sean John, launched the Revolt TV channel with a focus on music, and produced the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.

A total of eight members of the Central High School softball team are headed to Washington, D.C., Tuesday to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris thanks to additional donations from several foundations.

As of last week, the Central High School Parent Advisory Council had raised nearly $18,000 for the trip, after accepting the invite from Harris earlier this week. It was more than the initial goal of $15,000 and enough to cover travel for four team co-captains, two coaches and the athletic director.

Then three Minnesota foundations contribute $5,000 each for a total of $15,000 toward the costs of the trip. They were the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, the Mardag Foundation & F. R. Bigelow Foundation.

Central Principal Cherise Ayers said she was thankful for the generosity.

Besides the extra players, an added chaperone will make the trip.

After exceeding its initial goal, the advisory council’s GoFundMe set a new goal of $20,000. The nonprofit is seeking donations from alumni and local businesses. The fundraiser is called “GIRL POWER! Central Softball goes to D.C.,” and can be found at gofund.me/dbefa8c3.

Previously, St. Paul Firefighters Local 21 donated $5,000 and $2,500 came from an anonymous donor. As of Friday, there were more than 257 donations.

The money will pay for airfare, hotels meals and transportation. The initial plan called for the softball team’s four co-captains, athletic director Alicia Ekegren, head coach Haley McFarlane and assistant coach Shakia Wilkerson to make the trip.

The group will meet with Harris Wednesday at the Vice President’s Residence on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Harris invited the Central softball team to Washington after she paid them a surprise visit on March 14 during their practice at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center.

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