The Minnesota Vikings have made a bold move, parting ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in a decision that’s raised more questions than answers. While the team hasn’t offered much in the way of explanation, the timing, the draft history, and the internal dynamics all paint a picture of a front office at a pivotal crossroads.
A Surprise Split - And Curious Timing
Let’s start with the timing, because it’s definitely not typical. Most GM firings happen right after the season ends - clean break, fresh start.
Just look at the Falcons, who wasted no time in moving on from their leadership just days into January. The Vikings, on the other hand, waited.
And that wait has narrowed their options. By now, many of the top GM candidates are already deep into interviews or have taken jobs elsewhere.
What makes this even more puzzling is that Adofo-Mensah was still involved in postseason evaluations. He was present at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, actively scouting talent and participating in team assessments. That’s not the kind of role you give someone you’re about to move on from - unless something changed quickly or tensions reached a breaking point behind closed doors.
The 2022 Draft - A Swing and a Miss
If there’s a single moment that might have set this whole thing in motion, it’s the 2022 draft. That was Adofo-Mensah’s first real test as GM, and looking back, it’s hard to argue it went well.
The Vikings made 10 picks that year. Only two players from that class - Ty Chandler and Jalen Nailor - are still on the roster.
Chandler, a fifth-rounder, has shown flashes as a change-of-pace back. Nailor, taken in the sixth, has carved out a role as a depth receiver.
But the rest? Either gone or struggling to find footing in the league.
Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr., the top two picks from that class, are now heading to the UFL to try to revive their careers. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that needed cornerstone players from those early selections.
Meanwhile, Vederian Lowe, a sixth-round pick, is suiting up for the Patriots in the Super Bowl. That’s the kind of development that stings - not just because he’s no longer in Minnesota, but because he’s contributing on the league’s biggest stage.
To be fair, there were some hits. Nailor has been serviceable.
Will Reichard and Donovan Jackson have shown potential. And Jordan Addison, one of the more recent picks, has been electric on the field - though his off-field decisions have raised eyebrows and stirred trade speculation among fans.
Still, the overall body of work in the draft under Adofo-Mensah just didn’t meet expectations. Across four drafts, his selections have combined for 172 starts - and not a single Pro Bowl nod.
Free Agency Misses and Contract Tension
The draft is only part of the job. Free agency is where GMs can show creativity and foresight.
Unfortunately, Adofo-Mensah’s 2025 free-agent class didn’t pan out either. The signings failed to move the needle, and that, combined with the lack of star power from the draft, left the roster in a precarious spot.
Then there’s the matter of his contract. After head coach Kevin O’Connell inked his extension early, Adofo-Mensah’s deal lingered.
It took longer than expected to finalize, and that delay may have signaled some hesitation from ownership. If there were doubts then, it’s fair to wonder what changed - or didn’t - between that moment and now.
Ownership clearly believed in Adofo-Mensah at one point. They were willing to invest in him long-term.
But something shifted. Whether it was the accumulation of misses, internal disagreements, or a philosophical divide, the end result is the same: the Vikings are moving on.
What’s Next?
For now, the team is putting its trust in Kevin O’Connell and elevating executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski to interim GM. Brzezinski is a well-respected voice in the building and will help guide the team through the draft process.
But the Vikings are in no rush to name a permanent replacement. They’re taking their time, likely waiting until after the draft to make a long-term decision. It’s a calculated move - and maybe a necessary one - as they look to reset the front office with care.
Meanwhile, fans are left watching their former quarterback from the 2024 season prepare for the Super Bowl, wondering how their team will chart a path back to playoff contention. The pieces are there - a promising young coach, some intriguing talent on the roster - but the next GM hire will be crucial in determining whether Minnesota can turn the page or if more tough seasons lie ahead.
One thing’s for sure: the Vikings are betting big on Kevin O’Connell. Now they just need to find the right partner in the front office to match that vision.