The Minnesota Vikings made one of the most unexpected moves of the NFL offseason on Friday, parting ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons at the helm. It’s a decision that sent shockwaves through league circles and added a major item to Minnesota’s already busy 2026 offseason agenda: finding a new GM.
And while the timing caught many off guard, the early buzz around potential replacements is already heating up.
According to league sources, Rob Brzezinski - the Vikings’ longtime vice president of football operations - is a name to watch. Team president Mark Wilf didn’t rule out Brzezinski as a candidate for the full-time GM role, and multiple insiders believe he’s earned serious consideration.
Brzezinski has been a steady presence in Minnesota’s front office for years, known for his cap management skills and deep institutional knowledge. If the Vikings are looking for a familiar face with a strong grasp of the organization’s inner workings, Brzezinski fits that mold.
But he’s not the only one drawing attention.
Another name making the rounds is George Paton, the current general manager of the Denver Broncos - and a former Vikings executive. Paton spent over a decade in Minnesota before heading to Denver, and he still holds strong relationships within the Vikings building. That connection, along with his reputation as a traditional football evaluator, has made him a compelling potential target.
There’s a catch, though: Paton is still under contract in Denver, and Broncos ownership - along with head coach Sean Payton - reportedly hold him in high regard. In other words, if Minnesota wants to bring Paton back, it won’t be a simple reunion. Denver would have to be willing to part ways with him, and that’s far from a given.
As for the timeline, don’t expect Minnesota to rush into a hire. Reports indicate the Vikings are likely to hold off on their GM search until after the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a strategic move - and a fairly common one around the league - allowing the current front office structure to carry through the draft process before a new leader takes over.
What kind of executive might the Vikings target? Word around the league suggests a shift in philosophy could be on the table.
After four years of Adofo-Mensah’s analytically driven approach, Minnesota may pivot toward a more “old-school” football mind - someone with a strong scouting background and a traditional approach to roster building. Think boots-on-the-ground scouting, deep ties in personnel circles, and an emphasis on evaluation over data models.
Inside the Vikings building, Friday’s decision came as a genuine surprise. According to team sources, many believed Adofo-Mensah had weathered the storm and would be given at least one more season to right the ship.
“This is wild,” one source said. “We all thought the time passed and they decided to keep him. Something changed.”
Another added, “We knew there’d be a lot of pressure on (Adofo-Mensah) and rightfully so. But we thought he’d at least see one more season.”
Clearly, something shifted behind the scenes - whether it was internal dissatisfaction with the team’s trajectory, philosophical differences, or a desire for a new direction. Whatever the reason, the Vikings are now at a crossroads.
Minnesota’s offseason was already shaping up to be pivotal. Now, with a GM search on the horizon and major roster decisions looming, the organization faces a defining stretch that could shape its future for years to come.