“Offseason Grade” for Vikings Turns Heads
The beefy part of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason is in the books, year No. 4 of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell regime.
“Offseason Grade” for Vikings Turns Heads
The team arguably completed its oft-advertised “competitive rebuild” last offseason, punctuated by the draft pick of quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
But Adofo-Mensah, the club’s general manager, used the 2025 offseason to sharpen his depth chart, equipped with ample cap space and a vision to build the offensive and defensive trenches.
And for his troubles, CBS Sports assigned Minnesota an A- offseason grade, the second-best in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears.
It’s an A- Grade for Vikings Offseason, Says CBS Sports
CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell assigned offseason grades to each NFC North team, and for Minnesota’s, it was a commendable A-.
Podell explained the mark: “Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went to work in his first offseason in charge having big-time cap space thanks to having just J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and projected 2025 starting quarterback, on a rookie deal.”
“He spent his team’s money like he just inherited his trust fund: The Vikings shelled out $296.59 million in free agency, the second most in the NFL behind only the New England Patriots ($364.68 million), according to OverTheCap.com. Minnesota got stuffed in a locker in its wild card-round loss against the Los Angeles Rams, surrendering an NFL-record nine sacks of then-quarterback Sam Darnold. Adofo-Mensah spent top dollar to be the hunter, not the hunted.”
Heading into free agency, Minnesota possessed its most free-agent cash in years, and Adofo-Mensah was emphatically not timid about spending big.
Podell added, “Minnesota showed it wants to be more than just bombs downfield to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and that it knows those two playmakers don’t matter if the quarterback can’t get them the football.”
“The reason their grade is an ‘A-‘ and not an ‘A’ is because head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown some slight uncertainty about McCarthy being his starting quarterback in 2025, just a year removed from a torn meniscus in his knee. O’Connell confirmed Minnesota “evaluated” Aaron Rodgers and is “hopeful” McCarthy is its starting quarterback. Not exactly a firm declaration of McCarthy as QB1.”
Key Free Agent Moves
Minnesota’s free agency focused on five primary additions. Foremost, Adofo-Mensah concentrated on the offensive line, signing center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts. Minnesota’s offensive trenches held up admirably in 2024, generally speaking, but died in the playoffs. So, Adofo-Mensah fundamentally reshaped the fivesome.
The young executive also ended the impactful defensive tackle drought in the Twin Cities, onboarding veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
And at cornerback, the Vikings added Isaiah Rodgers from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The speedy corner is tentatively on track for CB2 duty in September.
The Draft Class
Six weeks later, Adofo-Mensah drafted five rookies, headlined by Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1. Jackson can be trusted as a Day One starter and will join the aforementioned Kelly and Fries as brand new OL additions.
Minnesota used its next draft pick on wide receiver Tai Felton in Round 3, a Maryland alumnus. The selection turned heads because not many Vikings fans expected a wide receiver in Round 3.
Defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Georgia), tight end Gavin Bartholomew (Pittsburgh), and linebacker Kobe King (Penn State) rounded out the class in later rounds.
Two Key Trades
In addition to free agency and the draft, Adofo-Mensah fired off a weekend trade in March for running back Jordan Mason of the San Francisco 49ers. Mason will man RB2 responsibilities behind Aaron Jones.
During the draft, Minnesota ended much speculation about the backup quarterback spot by trading down 30 spots and picking up Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks.
Two inexpensive trades for possibly significant performers.
Promoting J.J. McCarthy
Finally — the main event.
Entering the offseason, onlookers wondered if Minnesota would retain Sam Darnold on a team-friendly deal. The reclamation quarterback dimed 35 passing touchdowns in purple last season, along with 4,319 passing yards.
But Darnold chose a $100.5 million payday out west with the Seahawks, inking a three-year agreement.
Aaron Rodgers-themed rumors totally dominated a couple of offseason weeks, but the Vikings eventually swatted away those rumors by committing to McCarthy.
All that compiled for an A- grade, according to CBS Sports. Not bad.
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