One Popular Vikings Idea Suddenly Looks Overblown
After the Minnesota Vikings lost back-to-back games to the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks — in utterly embarrassing fashion — some fans, and this website, began to ponder what life would be like without general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
The last two games didn’t erase the mistakes, but they did change the lens — because if McCarthy is real, the Vikings’ entire timeline (and Kwesi’s) shifts back into safer territory.
Adofo-Mensah’s job security seemed suspect, given that his team was going nowhere and his handpicked young quarterback was playing like a total imbecile. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and the “Fire Kwesi” chants might have been premature.
McCarthy’s Recent Play Changes the Kwesi Conversation
Adofo-Mensah’s job could be safe after all with a productive McCarthy in the mix.
McCarthy’s Turnaround Flips the Script on Kwesi Opinions
The public opinion of Adofo-Mensah was so low after the Vikings’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks — a blowout and spanking — because it appeared he had drafted a dud in McCarthy, and the other young quarterback, Max Brosmer, played horrendously at Lumen Field.
Minnesota was going nowhere fast with a 4-8 record and no quarterback hope for the future. McCarthy was also concussed that week, his third injury, causing him to miss more time in his brief career.
The fire-Adofo-Mensah heat was strong, rest assured,
However, the sentiment has changed slightly since losing to Seattle, and that is because McCarthy suddenly looks good. He basically went from one of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history through six starts to a guy who’s jetting past his development plan. This occurred in two games.
For Adofo-Mensah, everything ties back to McCarthy. If McCarthy shapeshifts into a franchise quarterback, almost any dumb trade or draft pick can be forgiven. And as of late, McCarthy very much looks the part of a franchise quarterback coming into his own.
Poor Drafting — But McCarthy Is the Tell-All
Here’s Adofo-Mensah’s draft record since taking over in 2022:
The Hits for Adofo-Mensah:
- Jordan Addison
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Jalen Nailor
- Will Reichard
- Dallas Turner
The Misses:
- Brian Asamoah
- Gavin Bartholomew
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Andrew Booth
- Ty Chandler
- Lewis Cine
- Akayleb Evans
- Jaren Hall
- Ed Ingram
- Kobe King
- Vederian Lowe
- DeWayne McBride
- Nick Muse
- Esezi Otomewo
- Jaquelin Roy
The To-Be-Determineds:
- Tai Felton
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Donovan Jackson
- Michael Jurgens
- J.J. McCarthy
- Walter Rouse
- Jay Ward
McCarthy as a Top 12 or Top 15 quarterback in the big leagues might singlehandedly be enough to salvage Adofo-Mensah’s reputation. It all boils down to McCarthy.
A Just-Extended Contract
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, just inked a new contract with Adofo-Mensah — like seven months ago. If you want an argument why Adofo-Mensah won’t be fired anytime soon, this is the one.
Salaries for general managers and head coaches are oddly and notoriously kept under wraps, but it would seem unlikely that the Wilfs would be in a hurry to fire Adofo-Mensah less than a year into the extension. Moreover, the extension dollars haven’t kicked in yet. The extension section of the contract begins after the 2026 NFL Draft.
So, between an ascending McCarthy — thank God — and a fresh extension, all signs point to job security for Adofo-Mensah.
Typical Patience from Ownership
Finally, the Wilfs’ personal philosophy.
Remember the Vikings’ losses at Los Angeles (Chargers), at Green Bay, and at Seattle? Totally lifeless showings and embarrassments to all involved in the purple clothes? Yes, the Vikings would probably have to see every game play out like that in December and January for Adofo-Mensah’s seat to warm.
The Wilfs have a reputation for patience and steady decision-making. Firing Adofo-Mensah before his extension has kicked in or his quarterback gives a final verdict doesn’t fit the Wilfs’ modus operandi.
Once again, life is better for all involved if McCarthy morphs into a franchise quarterback. It’s that elementary.
More on McCarthy’s Ascent
Zone Coverage‘s Trevor Ripley noted on McCarthy this week, “They deemed McCarthy a bust, Kevin O’Connell was on the chopping block, and pleas to draft or trade for another quarterback were rampant. Fans couldn’t believe that the Vikings had a franchise quarterback in the palm of their hands, and they let him walk out the door.”
“But now at the tail end of 2025, those same jeers and resentments have fallen silent. Since McCarthy returned to the starting lineup in Week 9, PFF has graded him four points higher than Sam Darnold over that time. That’s not to say he’s already surpassed Darnold as a signal-caller, but McCarthy has also won back-to-back games, and has the Vikings hopeful again that he’s the guy.”
McCarthy must stack competent, building-block performances in the final three games. That’s all there is to it.
“McCarthy’s development in recent weeks has shown that, while he still has a ways to go, he has all the tools to hit the ground running in 2026. He’s had three straight games with over a 62% completion percentage, and just one turnover over his last two games after having 10 through his first six,” Ripley continued.
“It may be hard to believe, but McCarthy is 4-4 in games he’s started this season. And while his numbers haven’t always looked pretty, the Vikings are just 2-4 in the games that McCarthy hasn’t played.”
Adofo-Mensah will begin the 2026 offseason with a budget more than $40 million in the hole.
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