One Name Keeps Circulating as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Replacement
By the time the 2026 regular season rolls around, the Minnesota Vikings will have replaced Kwesi Adofo-Mensah with interim general manager Rob Brzezinski as the full-time boss or found a new general manager. While Brzezinski could keep the job after an interim trial, all signs point to Denver Broncos GM George Paton if the franchise conducts a broader search.
Paton’s Denver resume and Midwest ties make the link easy, while Rob Brzezinski still profiles as the internal stabilizer.
Paton worked for the Vikings from 2007 to 2020.
George Paton Fits the Vikings’ Next GM Conversation
The times, they are a-changin’ in Minnesota.
Paton to Vikings?
Keep Paton in mind for the Vikings. The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini wrote late last week, “On Friday, Wilf did not rule out Brzezinski emerging as a candidate for the full-time general manager role. Multiple league sources believe he would be deserving of consideration.”
“Another name circulating in conversations with league sources is former Vikings executive and current Broncos general manager George Paton, who still has strong internal relationships.”
Paton to Minnesota would make all the sense in the world, considering his 14 seasons with the club before he took the big job in Denver. His contract with the Broncos will expire after the 2026 campaign.
Based on Russini’s theory, it is unclear if the Vikings would pursue Paton in 2026 or wait until next offseason.
The Draft Record
It’s unknown what role Paton had in the front office when Sean Payton came aboard in 2023, but in his first few drafts, Paton onboarded these rookies, who contributed significantly:
- Nik Bonitto (OLB)
- Baron Browning (OLB)
- Jonathan Cooper (OLB)
- Quinn Meinerz (OG)
- Marvin Mims (WR)
- Riley Moss (CB)
- Patrick Surtain II (CB)
- Luke Wattenberg (C)
- Javonte Williams (RB)
And compared to Adofo-Mensah’s draft record, that group is pretty damn sterling.
SI.com‘s Zach Kelberman on Paton: “Paton survived the disastrous Nathaniel Hackett-Russell Wilson era and has since formed a terrific partnership with Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Together, the two have presided over back-to-back winning seasons that include an AFC West title, No. 1 seed, and a playoff victory.”
“Regarded as an elite drafter, Paton is chiefly responsible for importing several Broncos All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, including cornerback Patrick Surtain II, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, and offensive guard Quinn Meinerz.”
Close Your Eyes on the Russell Wilson Trade
Of course, Paton hasn’t conducted spotless operations in Denver. During the 2022 offseason, he sent two 1st-Round picks, two 2nd-Round picks, a 5th-Round pick, and players Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, and Noah Fant to Seattle for Wilson and a 4th-Rounder.
Wilson arrived in Denver with high hopes of continuing his then-Hall-of-Fame-bound career, but that just didn’t work out. The former Seahawk played serviceably, and that was about it. Payton (the coach) worked with Wilson for a season before landing on Nix in the draft — a few picks after the Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy.
(GM) Paton said last week about his working relationship with (HC) Payton: “I think it’s been good, and it keeps growing. It’s been outstanding. We met in our interview, and I think he refers to that interview in Westlake. I knew then that we would be aligned in how we wanted to build this. That has just continued to grow. You know how much he loves the draft process and the personnel process. Not only does he love it, he’s really good at it.”
“I mean, he’s really good. He knows what he wants. He articulates it really well to all of the scouts, so we all know what a Denver Bronco player at this position should look like. His staff is really good at it. We enjoy being around each other. It’s not always easy, and it shouldn’t be easy. Winning is not easy, but I just think it just keeps getting stronger. I’m very fortunate to have him here with me.”
Perhaps Not Needed?
Brzezinski has one big moment: approximately the next three months. He’s been a part of the Vikings since 1999, and virtually no one has more staying power than him. There’s a chance that he, along with Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, knocks free agency and the draft out of the park, making a replacement general manager unnecessary.
Forever, Brzezinski has been known as the “money guy,” the capologist, for the Vikings. He can deliver in the next few months and perhaps be hired as the full-time general manager.
After all, 27 years with the franchise is no joke.
Free agency for Brzezinski, O’Connell, and Flores is less than five weeks away.
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