George Paton’s Future in Denver Uncertain as Vikings GM Job Opens Up
George Paton’s name is back in the conversation in Minnesota - and for good reason. As the Broncos general manager enters the final year of his six-year deal, there’s no extension in place yet. That silence has opened the door for speculation, especially now that the Vikings - Paton’s former team - have a front office vacancy of their own.
When Minnesota parted ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last Friday, league insiders quickly began connecting the dots. Paton spent 14 seasons with the Vikings, rising through the ranks from director of player personnel to assistant GM and eventually vice president of player personnel. He was Rick Spielman’s right-hand man for years, helping build some of the most competitive rosters in recent franchise history.
Now, with the GM seat open again, Paton’s name is reportedly “circulating in league sources” as a potential candidate to return to the Twin Cities.
But there’s a wrinkle: the Vikings aren’t rushing this search. Team president Mark Wilf made it clear that the hunt for a new general manager won’t begin in earnest until after the draft.
In the meantime, Rob Brzezinski - a 27-year veteran of the Vikings’ front office - is holding down the fort as the de facto GM. Brzezinski is a respected figure in league circles, but his long tenure without a Super Bowl appearance could work against him in a franchise eager for a new direction.
Paton’s Denver Tenure: A Mixed Bag with a Promising Finish
Paton took over in Denver in 2021, inheriting a team in transition and a front office still adjusting to life after John Elway. His first two seasons were chaotic, marked by a revolving door of head coaches - Vic Fangio, Nathaniel Hackett, and interim coach Jerry Rosburg - and a roster that struggled to find its identity.
That changed when Sean Payton arrived. With Payton in charge, Paton shifted into a more collaborative role under CEO Greg Penner.
The result? A front office that’s found its rhythm.
On draft day, Paton’s “more darts” philosophy - favoring more picks and depth - has blended well with Payton’s aggressive, trade-up tendencies. Together, they’ve struck a balance that’s helped rebuild the Broncos’ core.
Penner made it clear last week that he values that partnership.
“The two of them, we’d love to have both of them here long term,” Penner said. “I think the partnership they’ve created and how they work together, it’s very complementary.”
That’s not just lip service. Since Paton took over, the Broncos have drafted four players who’ve gone on to earn first- or second-team All-Pro honors: cornerback Pat Surtain II, right guard Quinn Meinerz, wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., and edge rusher Nik Bonitto.
Players like Surtain, Meinerz, Bonitto, center Luke Wattenberg, and edge rusher Jonathon Cooper have all landed second contracts - a notable shift for a franchise that had struggled to retain its homegrown talent. In fact, Paton’s first two draft classes have already produced as many second-contract players as the previous eight drafts combined.
That kind of success doesn’t go unnoticed - especially in a league that’s always watching.
What Would It Take for Paton to Return to Minnesota?
Here’s where things get interesting. If the Vikings want Paton back, they’d likely need to offer him full control of football operations - something he doesn’t currently have in Denver with Payton calling the shots. That kind of autonomy could be enticing, especially for a GM with Paton’s résumé and track record.
But it’s not a given. Paton has spoken highly of his relationship with Payton and the progress they’ve made in reshaping the Broncos’ roster. Denver’s front office finally feels stable after years of turbulence, and walking away from that - especially with a new deal potentially on the table - wouldn’t be an easy decision.
Still, the Vikings offer something different: familiarity, history, and a chance to lead a franchise he helped build into a perennial playoff contender. During Paton’s time in Minnesota, the Vikings were consistently competitive - 18 winning or .500 seasons in 27 years, and 24 playoff appearances in the last 49. But they haven’t reached a Super Bowl in that span, and their drafting in recent years has taken a step back since Paton’s departure.
Meanwhile, the franchise will watch from home next week as their former quarterback, Sam Darnold, leads the Seahawks into Super Bowl LX - a reminder of how close and yet how far they’ve been.
Bottom Line
George Paton’s name is going to keep coming up in Minnesota, and for good reason. He knows the building, the people, and the expectations. But the Broncos want to keep him, and the working relationship with Sean Payton is producing results.
If Minnesota wants him back, they’ll have to make a strong offer - and even then, it might not be enough. For now, the Vikings are waiting until after the draft. But don’t be surprised if the Paton-to-Minnesota rumors keep swirling until a decision is made, one way or another.