Vikings Fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah After 9-8 Season, Turn to Rob Brzezinski Through Draft
The Minnesota Vikings are making a major change at the top of their front office. After a 9-8 season that fell short of expectations, the team has parted ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, ending a four-year tenure that was defined by bold moves, calculated risks, and, ultimately, a lack of postseason success.
In the interim, longtime executive Rob Brzezinski, currently the team’s vice president of football operations, will lead the organization through the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings plan to begin their search for a new general manager once the draft concludes.
“Building a team that can contend for the championship drives us every day,” said team owners Mark and Zygi Wilf in a statement. “We are grateful for Kwesi’s contributions and commitment to the organization over the past four years and wish him and his family the best in the future.”
High Hopes, Mixed Results
When the Vikings hired Adofo-Mensah in 2022, they were betting on a fresh perspective. Adofo-Mensah came in as a process-driven, analytics-minded executive, a departure from the traditional football lifer.
The front office extended his contract just last offseason, signaling faith in his vision. But after another season without a playoff win-and some friction over roster decisions-the organization felt it was time for a new voice to lead alongside head coach Kevin O’Connell.
The decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. According to sources, internal disagreements over free agency and trade targets this past offseason added to the tension. And when the results didn’t follow, the pressure mounted.
Draft Picks and Missed Opportunities
Adofo-Mensah’s draft record was a mixed bag. His first draft class struggled to produce impact players-only one of the 10 picks became a full-time starter, and just two are still on the roster. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team trying to build through the draft.
There were some hits, though. Wide receiver Jordan Addison has emerged as a reliable weapon, kicker Will Reichard has solidified a long-standing special teams issue, and rookie left guard Donovan Jackson showed promise this season.
First-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy, edge rusher Dallas Turner, defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez, and defensive back Jay Ward have all flashed potential, but the development curve is still in progress.
Still, for ownership, the bar was higher. The Vikings have been aggressive in trying to build a contender, and when the draft doesn’t deliver foundational pieces, patience wears thin.
Free Agency Swing-and-Miss
One of the biggest setbacks this season came in free agency. After a successful 2024 cycle, the Vikings had cap space to work with-but their big-ticket additions didn’t pan out. Veterans like defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, and center Ryan Kelly, were brought in to stabilize key areas, but age and injuries dulled their impact.
The quarterback room also became a sticking point. Minnesota failed to land Daniel Jones as a veteran backup for McCarthy and instead brought in Sam Howell, who struggled in training camp and was eventually traded.
Perhaps most notably, the team passed on signing Aaron Rodgers, who was reportedly willing to join at a discount. That decision, in hindsight, looms large.
Injuries and Inconsistencies
To be fair, the Vikings dealt with their share of adversity. The starting offensive line, as originally constructed, played just 83 snaps together all season due to injuries. On defense, key contributors like Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman missed time early on, disrupting continuity.
Even with a late-season surge-five straight wins to close the year-the Vikings couldn’t mask the inconsistency. Only one of those victories came against a playoff-bound team, and that was in Week 18 against a Packers squad resting its starters.
Adofo-Mensah’s Legacy: Bold Moves, No Playoff Wins
During his four-year run, Adofo-Mensah wasn’t afraid to shake things up. He moved on from veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold in favor of the younger McCarthy.
He traded down in his first draft to accumulate more picks. He pulled the trigger on deals for tight end T.J.
Hockenson, left tackle Cam Robinson, and quarterback Josh Dobbs.
The Vikings went 43-25 under his leadership-a respectable record-but they never won a playoff game. And in a league where postseason success is the ultimate measuring stick, that stat carries weight.
What’s Next
Now, the Vikings head into a pivotal offseason with questions swirling-especially at quarterback. McCarthy has shown glimpses, but the team’s commitment to him as the long-term answer remains to be seen. With Brzezinski running point through the draft and a new GM on the horizon, Minnesota is entering a transitional period.
The Wilfs have made it clear: they want a championship-caliber team. The next hire will be tasked with building exactly that.