The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with a major shift at the top of their front office. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was let go on Friday, ending a tenure that started with high hopes but ultimately didn’t deliver the kind of draft success the franchise needed. Now, the Vikings will be leaning on a combination of familiar faces to guide the war room - most notably longtime executive Rob Brzezinski, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Brzezinski, a respected figure in the Vikings’ front office for years, is expected to take on a central role in the decision-making process. But make no mistake - O’Connell and Flores will have significant input. Both have already been influential voices in recent personnel decisions, and with the GM seat now vacant, their roles are likely to expand even further.
A Rough Draft Record That Sealed the Deal
Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal wasn’t entirely shocking, but the timing did catch some off guard. Still, the writing was on the wall.
From 2022 to 2025, the Vikings’ draft classes under his leadership failed to produce consistent contributors. In fact, over that three-year span, the 22 players drafted under Adofo-Mensah combined for just 153 starts - the second-fewest in the NFL during that time.
The 2022 draft, his first in charge, remains the most glaring red flag. There’s a strong belief that Adofo-Mensah had the most autonomy that year, and the results were tough to swallow. His decision to trade down from the No. 12 overall pick to No. 32 - passing on standout prospects like safety Kyle Hamilton and wide receiver Jameson Williams - in favor of Georgia safety Lewis Cine, turned out to be a costly misstep.
Cine’s rookie contract was worth $11.5 million. What the Vikings got in return was a player who struggled to stay healthy and, when finally on the field, didn’t look like he belonged.
After suffering a broken leg during his first preseason, Cine never regained the form that made him a first-round pick. When he did return, he failed to make an impact and was eventually waived before the 2024 season.
From First-Round Pick to UFL Cut
Cine’s fall from grace didn’t stop with his release from the Vikings. After bouncing around a few NFL practice squads, he signed with the DC Defenders of the UFL on January 22, 2026 - a chance, perhaps, to reboot his career.
That opportunity didn’t last long. Less than two weeks later, Cine was released from the Defenders’ roster, joining a short list of players cut before the UFL season even got underway.
Now, the former first-rounder is at a crossroads. With no NFL or UFL team willing to take a flier on him, Cine’s future in professional football is uncertain at best. Unless he’s willing to explore overseas leagues, his playing days may be over.
It’s a stunning fall for a player once expected to be a cornerstone of Minnesota’s secondary. Cine’s NFL career ends with just 11 games played - 10 of those with the Vikings - and a single assisted tackle to his name.
That’s it. That’s the stat line.
One tackle.
A Flash of Promise That Never Materialized
There was a brief moment, though, when it looked like Cine might turn the corner. In Week 2 of the 2024 preseason, he put together an eye-popping performance: 11 total tackles, an interception, a pass breakup, a sack, two QB hits, a tackle for loss, and a bone-rattling hit that had fans buzzing.
He led the Vikings defense in every major category that night. For a moment, it felt like the first-rounder was finally putting it together.
But that night turned out to be the exception, not the beginning of a breakout. Cine never replicated that level of play in a regular-season game, and his time in Minnesota quietly came to an end.
What’s Next for the Vikings?
With Adofo-Mensah out, the Vikings are entering a new chapter. Brzezinski brings decades of experience to the table, and with O’Connell and Flores already proving they can identify talent - Jordan Addison, a clear KOC pick in 2023, and recent defensive free-agent hits like Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, and Andrew Van Ginkel all trace back to Flores’ input - there’s reason to believe the team is in more capable hands moving forward.
The 2026 draft will be a pivotal moment for the franchise. After a few years of swings and misses, the Vikings need to start hitting on picks again.
The foundation is there - a smart front office group, a head coach with a clear offensive vision, and a defensive coordinator who knows how to build a unit. Now it’s about execution.
And maybe, just maybe, learning from the past - because the Lewis Cine saga is a cautionary tale the Vikings can’t afford to repeat.