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Let’s take a trip back four years, to when the Wilfs decided that the team’s trajectory toward a championship had become stagnant. They cleaned house and brought in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager and Kevin O’Connell as the head coach to lead the team.
While some were cautious about the Adofo-Mensah signing, many were optimistic that his analytical approach could help move things in a better direction. For the first few years, it seemed like the right decision, even if his drafting moves were questioned quite a bit. “Let Kwesi Cook” became quite a popular meme and catchphrase as his free-agent choices seemed to temper it a bit.
Roster Moves Will Define Vikings’ Next Phase
This offseason, after his contract was extended, the Vikings suddenly fired him without much explanation. Most are guessing that his draft decisions from the past caught up with him, including a few free agent contacts that were too big for their return.
The 2022 draft and Javon Hargraves are the two glaring examples. The final ingredient may be that he let Sam Darnold walk instead of paying him to stick around, possibly putting the Vikings in the Super Bowl while pairing him with a staunch defense.
He was at the Senior Bowl when it went down, and I guess he was starting down a path that had the coaches nervous, so they called him out to the owners. Ziggy Wilf and his family knew that it was only going to get worse and decided to cut their losses right away.
I have been reflecting on the 2024 NFL Draft and the Vikings’ picks. While I think they are all solid, with only the late Khyree Jackson no longer on the team, they have all contributed. There is one moment that also became a solid GIF/meme from the Vikings’ war room: after O’Connell was told they were trading up to go after Dallas Turner, he turned slowly in his chair and said, “Really?”
Everyone seemed happy with the move at the time, and most took the reaction as a happy surprise that O’Connell was excited about. Adofo-Mensah was being aggressive! Fans seemed excited regardless of the trades that were made to get there. When I look at it now, I have to wonder if it was more of a look of, “Really? … You’ve got to be kidding me! We could get him or the guy we want without trading away more picks!”
The scuttlebutt is that there were growing tensions between the two men, and this may have been the major breaking point. The pick became more concerning as Turner couldn’t crack the starting lineup or be the main backup to Johnathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.
His 2025 season was much better as the main replacement player, in which he led the team in sacks, but some have pointed out that it may have been situational, due to blocking schemes and matchups against tight ends. While Kwesi was “cooking,” he may have burnt the main course, and now the Vikings are stuck where they are.
What Comes next?
The Vikings did a smart thing, even if it’s temporary, by hiring longtime “Cap Wizard” Rob Brzezinski as the interim general manager. Any fan of the team knows that over his 40 years with the cap, he has brought them back from the worst situations, starting with the mess of the 1998-2000 signings and inflated contracts.
He is also famous for the Steve Hutchinson “poison pill” clause when the team brought over the coveted left guard. Brzezinski already stated in an exclusive interview on KFAN with Paul Allen on Wednesday that the draft must be the team’s foundation, with free agents used to supplement it. He also indicated that every possibility is on the table when it comes to players, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He knows that he has to deal with the cap first and get through free agency, but he has the big picture in frame.
It’s not some new or extremely unique way to look at building a team. It’s the way it’s always been with analytics guys versus football guys. While I know that analytics are important, management can’t get so caught up in them that they ignore whether the player sitting right in front of them is the best available and let them slip by because the numbers fit their agenda.
If the analytical approach had worked or even been a solid argument, then we wouldn’t be where we are. It failed miserably, and the team is hopefully back on a path where the coaches help pick players who fit their schemes or are so good that the schemes need to be altered to fit their skills.
Fix the Cap
The first thing that needs to happen is to fix the salary cap so the team can either retain vital players or sign new ones. Some will state that the salary cap is a myth, as it seems some teams can spend and trade willy-nilly, with the Eagles coming to mind. However, because they have drafted well and hit on the right players, they have the latitude to do that.
The Vikings and Brzezinski have to shave more than $45 million off the top, plus some, to sign draft picks. They do have some carryover cap space from last year to work with, and the cap increased going into 2026.
Who can they restructure, and who might just be gone? I feel that Brian O’Neill, T.J. Hockenson, and Johnathan Allen will all be restructured. I know that Hockenson is a popular release candidate, but I feel that after recovering from his knee injury and a year spent helping block for an offensive line that could be their own episode of The Pitt, he will return to form.
I kind of hope that Aaron Jones can be kept around, but I think he will be released along with Hargrave and Ryan Kelly, who should retire to protect his future health. There may be others that can be restructured without killing future cap space, and there may be a surprise release mixed in that may sting. Another player who, if traded, could take about $2.6 million off the books is Jordan Addison. I’m a huge believer in second chances and even third chances.
I think we’re at the tipping point here. After being suspended to start the season and then missing a meeting before their game in London to be benched for the first half by the team, Mr. Addison followed that up by getting into some hot water at a Florida casino.
It was later found that the charges may have been a bit shady, and he was exonerated. Still, he put himself in another troublesome situation, and every time he does, it hurts his chances of being re-signed and his trade value. Right now, you could argue he’s worth a 2nd round pick, but they may have to settle for a 3rd rounder and some lower-round compensation.
There are players they have to try to keep as free agents as well. Jalen Redmond and Eric Wilson led the pack with their stellar play last year. Punter Ryan Wright had a great year and is worth bringing back, as is running back Zavier Scott, who had flashes last year as a backup.
Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Ivan Pace Jr. may all be left to test the free agent market. Keeping Justin Skule as a backup lineman may also need to be addressed, but he could be another luxury they can’t keep. This is where the draft becomes even more important for depth.
Draft Strategy
As I mentioned before, they need to get the draft success turned around quickly. The Vikings currently have 8 total picks, and 4 of those are in the top 100. Compensatory picks have yet to be doled out, and they may net two more, with one in the 3rd and possibly the 5th.
The formula can be dicey at times. If they get up to 10 picks, they are well-positioned to get some potential starters and decent depth. I feel they will not cling to the analytical take with the draft, and we could see more picks along the lines of taking the best player available. Position of need may be the final factor in the pick if it’s a toss-up.
However, the opportunity to trade down from their 18th slot is possible, with Cleveland and Dallas having multiple first-round picks. Cleveland’s 2nd-round pick may also be compensation for the previously mentioned Addison trade, with the Raiders, Chargers, Buccaneers, and Patriots as potential landing spots. I don’t see trading up as an option at this point unless they get heavy into trading and offload several players for picks.
For the players, I can see them targeting in the draft; it has been a large pool to pick from, potentially. Running back Jeremiyah Love, defensive lineman Caleb Banks, cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Monsoor Delane, and safeties Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman have all been mocked to the Vikings at pick 18. All could fill roles on the team and project as long-term players who should stick in the league.
With questions around Addison and Jalen Nailor’s pending free agency, it could also open the possibility of a wide receiver being the target. That would add a cheaper player, hopefully with fewer headaches. Let’s not forget to include the possible surprise pick at tight end, Kenyon Sadiq, even if the team retains Hockenson.
Surprisingly, Adofo-Mensah’s best drafting attribute was finding late-round pieces and undrafted free agents who have made an impact on the team beyond special teams.
For every Lewis Cine and Ed Ingram that disappeared from the roster, they have plucked Joe Huber, Myles Price, and Will Reichard, among others, who have either shone or had key moments showing their potential. That will need to continue with the new regime, or get even better at it. If the top-end drafting is solid, then the back end won’t need to be a saving grace anymore.
The Elephant In the Room
JJ McCarthy will continue to be the biggest question all off-season. Again. ESPN and NFL Network will rake it over the coals, as will every sports-related radio show, podcast, and fan site that deems it necessary, whether or not they’re connected directly to the Vikings.
McCarthy’s second season was filled with injuries, moments of hope, cringeworthy nicknames, and interceptions. It was his first year to actually get reps on the field and grow as a player. By the end of the year, he seemed to have found his rhythm and given fans hope that the guy they want him to be will show up soon.
When free agency hits, everyone will be watching the possible quarterbacks the Vikings might bring in. Whether that person is brought in as straight competition or as a veteran presence to fill in and guide the young quarterback will be the talk of the town and the league. I have no problem with a Kirk Cousins reunion, as the Falcons are reportedly getting ready to release him, as he still has some stuff left in the tank and could finally be in the mindset that he’s not guaranteed to be the starter anymore.
They could also bring in Malik Willis or another young prospect as direct competition to push McCarthy to lock in more and jump in if McCarthy goes down again. I still think they are going to be patient with him because O’Connell has said the league gives up on quarterbacks too often and too early, using Sam Darnold as a perfect example.
Once again, we are left with more questions than answers. My prediction is that they get things back on track, but the team may have to endure a tough year as past mistakes are corrected and the salary cap is addressed. Fans may have to wait until the 2027 season before they see the choices come to fruition.