It’s been just over two months since the Vikings parted ways with former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, yet Minnesota still hasn’t begun the process of replacing him, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. At the NFL’s annual league meeting, though, Vikings president/co-owner Mark Wilf gave the media an overview of the planned general structure of the process.
According to Wilf, the Vikings do not intend to utilize the services of “a search firm or formal consultant” but will, instead, “contract with a service that will help whittle down a list of candidates.” It’s an interesting distinction with not much clarity on what services a formal consultant would provide that the team isn’t interested in.
It appears that, without the help of a search firm or consultant, it will be Wilf “and the rest of the Wilf family” — which includes older brother and chairman/co-owner Zygi Wilf and cousin and vice chairman/co-owner Leonard Wilf — that will be making the decision. He expects that they will be advised by a “small, tight group” and that “input” will be sought from head coach Kevin O’Connell and chief operating officer Andrew Miller. There was mention of “participation from what Wilf called a ‘third party,'” as well, but it’s unclear if that was in reference to the above-mentioned service to be contracted.
Wilf relayed to the media that interviews are not expected to take place until after the 2026 NFL Draft at the end of the month. Since Adofo-Mensah’s exit, executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has taken up the mantle of interim general manager, and he will continue to do so through the draft. Wilf told the media Brzezinski had “done an outstanding job in terms of, in the building, building consensus, strategy.”
So far, with Brzezinski in GM duties, the Vikings have allowed defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, and punter Ryan Wright to depart for multi-year deals in free agency. Of their potential departing free agents, the only ones the team re-signed were backup quarterback Carson Wentz, special teams ace Tavierre Thomas, and long snapper Andrew DePaola. Minnesota has brought in three external free agents, as well, in former Steelers CB3 James Pierre, punter Johnny Hekker, and quarterback Kyler Murray.
The timing of Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal caught many by surprise, leaving the Vikings without any viable candidates to replace him so late in the process. It’s forced the team to rely on Brzezinski and newly hired football administration consultant Matt Thomas during a crucial period of team-building, and now, it appears Minnesota will continue to rely on them until after another crucial team-building event takes place at the end of the month.
Basically he’s consolidating his power to the one he trusts the most-himself
interim GMs rarely make big decisions. Whacking Adofo-Mensah when they did looks like an emotional, knee-jerk reaction for which they were roundly unprepared.
It did seem knee jerk, but he was one of the worst drafters in the league. Might as well just let KOC make the calls. Then he can sink the ship with his own guys or make it to the promised land.
It’s what they had to do to keep flo. Also probably why we drafted so much defense to keep flo here and happy
Good orgs pair the gm HC and qb. Bad orgs give one of the three power. Then blame him and give another of the three.
If the vikes don’t win this year, KOC and Kyler will be gone. As will JJ. And they’ll stay a complete rebuild. With the relatively new GM as the lead voice. And around and around we go.
Minny will not fire KOC. He is literally the one guy in the building who is bulletproof.
You say that now. What happens if you’re 5-12 this year and Kyler sucks? Both are possible.
Option #1 – Hire a search firm
Option #2 – Hire a hatchet firm
Option #3 – Visit Walmart and buy a dart board 🙂
Ah yes, Andrew Miller will be involved. he is in charge of the business, not football ops. he’s the one who didn’t want Jim Harbaugh. This will be GM number two where he will have a say in the process. stick to selling suites, Andrew – get out of the football decisions. Wilfs are terrible owners. just get in the tourney and there is a chance….. idiots
Wilfs are terrible owners is a stretch when the team has consistently been graded one of the highest report cards by the NFLPA, not to mention ownership was given an A on the most recent report card. They’ve invested a ton into the team and their infrastructure to make them a more desirable destination for players.
Was the KAM firing odd timing? Yes, but it was due. They obviously place a lot of trust in the current business and football ops department, and they know way more about their operations than us armchair consultants.
good for the players. but, as fans, we are stuck in mediocrity until they either get a clue or sell
Sell to who? The notion that a team needs to be sold solely because of mediocrity is so overblown. Only 1 team can win it all every year. What happens if the Wilfs sell and they get a Dave Tepper for a buyer? Don’t get me wrong, mediocrity stinks and as a fan you want your team to win a championship, but the grass isn’t always greener.