By KSTP
The Minnesota Vikings made a shocking move Friday, firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
The move comes after the Vikings finished last season 9-8, missing the playoffs for the second time in three years, but nearly four weeks after Minnesota’s season ended. He was also dismissed just eight months after signing a multi-year extension with the club.
In Adofo-Mensah’s four seasons as GM, the Vikings made the playoffs twice but didn’t win a playoff game.
Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf released the following statement:
“Following our annual end-of-season organizational meetings over the last several weeks and after careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the team to move forward with new leadership of our football operations. These decisions are never easy. 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.
“Effective immediately, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski will lead our operations through the 2026 NFL Draft. Rob brings tremendous credibility and experience, understands our roster, and has the ability to build consensus and rely on the expertise of our personnel and coaches. After the draft, we intend to conduct a thorough search to identify our next general manager. Building a team that can contend for championships drives us every day, and we look forward to bringing our fans the success they so deserve.”
Adofo-Mensah helped Minnesota land multiple key free agents, including Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Aaron Jones, and led the team’s transition from a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins to younger, cheaper options in Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy. However, few of his draft picks made any impact; his more recent free agent signings have had underwhelming performances, and the team’s instability at quarterback has left the team in a precarious spot.
Notably, the move comes after Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings declined to keep quarterback Sam Darnold on a large contract, instead moving to McCarthy and veteran Carson Wentz this past season. Darnold has Seattle in the Super Bowl while the Vikings are searching for next year’s starter.
Still, his firing comes late in the coaching and executive movement cycle, which could leave fewer options available for his replacement than four weeks ago.
Regardless, Minnesota’s big offseason just got even bigger.
