Are Major Firings on the Way for Vikings? Our Predictions
The Minnesota Vikings’ last four games — and the season on the whole — have transpired so terribly that the general manager and head coach could be on the hot seat. The team completed its competitive rebuild in the 2024 offseason, opened a Super Bowl window, and promptly flopped to the tune of a 4-8 record. So, our writers have predictions on the job security of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Major firings coming for the Minnesota Vikings? We break down the GM and head coach situation, ownership dynamics, and whether big changes are realistic.
Some NFL teams will fire general managers and head coaches on Monday, January 5th, and these are our takes on the Vikings’ would-be inclusion.
The Future of Vikings GM and Coach: Our Verdict
Our writers predict the future.
Ted Schwerzler: KAM Fired, Kev Safe
KOC has never been down more, but he has equity. Kwesi can’t be the one to spend again and has to — and will — depart the franchise.
Wes Johnson: KAM + Kev = Safe — Rest of the Deck Gets Shuffled
Signing extensions last offseason, the Wilfs are reluctant to move on from their leadership. Other changes to the front office and coaching staff are expected, including bringing in new auxiliary staff on the offensive side. Look for changes at the offensive line coach and possibly the offensive coordinator. Bringing in the Callahans might be the right remedy. Special teams have also been a sore spot.
Tony Schultz: 90% Both KAM + Kev Are Safe
The NFL is a business, and decisions are made, good and bad. Coaches and GMs have strengths and weaknesses. Since both O’Connell and Adofo Mensah just got extended, the Wilfs must see more of the strengths.
I’ve heard numerous times from local and national talking heads that the GM isn’t the only voice and that the coaching staff has a lot of input. They pushed for some of these draft picks as much as Kwesi. But I expect heads to roll at the next level in the scouting department or with other executives like Grigson.
If the axe should fall, it would more likely be the GM because that’s where the buck stops. I think the team is behind O’Connell, and he is a good coach. Right now, I think there’s a 90% chance that Adofo Mensah and O’Connell are still here next month.
Sean Borman: KAM + Kev = Safe, Ryan Grigson Fired
Getting fired one year after signing a multi-year extension wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense in the case of Kevin O’Connell or Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, but somebody has to pay for the debacle, which is the 2025 season. At the very least, Ryan Grigson should be let go.
Dustin Baker: KAM + Kev Retained; Get Half a Season to Fix Mess
The Wilfs will reluctantly keep the current regime, with the expectation that they fix the malarkey this offseason — without drafting another quarterback. The mission will lead Minnesota to Kyler Murray’s doorstep via trade or free-agent signing.
Murray and McCarthy will duke it out at training camp, with Murray as the Week 1 QB1.
Josh Frey: KAM + Kev = Safe
Neither will be fired in the next month. This could depend on how the Vikings perform over the final five weeks of the season, but I don’t expect Minnesota to finish at 4-13. I don’t think a record like 6-11 will get either one fired, but they will be in a much warmer seat heading into 2026 if things don’t turn around.
Kyle Joudry: KAM + Kev = Safe
The Vikings will fire neither GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nor HC Kevin O’Connell. Both have done poorly in 2025, and yet both did excellently in 2024. Each gets at least one more season.
Janik Eckardt: KAM + Kev = Safe
Though the season has gone badly enough to make it a realistic scenario, neither will be fired. The simple reason for that? That’s just not how the ownership group operates.
After signing an extension 11 months ago, they get another shot, and they must deliver in 2026.
Ali Siddiqui: KAM + Kev = Safe
Both will be back next year, but if the Vikings once again don’t win a single playoff game in 2026, they will be shown the door.
Henrique Gucciardi: KAM + Kev = Safe
The season was awful and exposed problems across the entire organization. However, Kwesi and KOC just extended their contracts, and their leashes are long enough to survive this bad season.
Adam New: KAM + Kev = Safe
I don’t think either Kwesi Adofo-Mensah or Kevin O’Connell is about to get fired. The heat is certainly on both, especially the general manager, who would likely be on his way out if it were up to me, but I believe the pair have enough credit in the bank with a patient ownership group that they will be given the chance to turn things around next season.
Cole Smith: KAM + Kev = Safe
I think both KOC and Kwesi survive the end of the year, although if one were to go, my guess would be Kwesi. There’s been enough success through the first three years to buy at least one more season.
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