6 Things to Expect for the Vikings Post–Kwesi
The Minnesota Vikings no longer have Kwesi Adofo-Mensah calling the shots, as the once-promising executive lost his job on Friday. Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski takes over the general manager job, at least in the interim, with head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores expected to have increased personnel input. So … how will the Vikings change?
With Brzezinski in the interim chair, the Vikings’ decision-making cadence may shift quickly, especially with the roster churn and quarterback direction.
Here’s what to expect with Adofo-Mensah subtracted from the front office.
Six Post-Kwesi Shifts to Watch in Minnesota
It’s suddenly a new era for the Vikings.
Fewer Trades
The guy before Adofo-Mensah — Rick Spielman, who was terminated after the 2021 season — liked to wheel and deal, too, but not quite as much as Adofo-Mensah.
Sometimes, Adofo-Mensah appeared to trade for sport, almost out of boredom. That’s due to take a step back. Minnesota doesn’t need to stockpile 6th-Round picks while offloading contributors like Harrison Phillips and Mekhi Blackmon.
Brzezinski will obviously focus on the books, and O’Connell + Flores will keep their thumbprints all over the personnel, but trading “just to trade” on draft night or otherwise is probably kaput. If you like trades, your life as a Vikings fan probably got less fun this week.
Handpicked Defensive Personnel by Brian Flores
Flores interviewed for a couple of high-profile jobs this coaching carousel cycle: the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. When those gigs didn’t work out, he returned to the Vikings a week and a half ago, a move that feels like Flores knew his power would increase.
The Vikings curiously didn’t hand Flores an extension during 2025, but days before Adofo-Mensah was fired, he re-upped with the franchise. The writing is on the wall to suggest that Minnesota granted him more leeway in making roster decisions.
You should fully expect Flores to get “his guys” in free agency and the draft. Think about it: with Adofo-Mensah out, who else will pick the defensive players? Brzezinski? O’Connell? Probably not. It’s Flores’s time to shine as a scout and de facto defensive general manager.
Very Obvious Win-Now Moves
Just because Minnesota ended the Adofo-Mensah era doesn’t mean O’Connell has a clean slate or renewed job security. He must rush to prove that his ways are winners, maybe even establishing that Adofo-Mensah held the franchise back.
It’s also worth noting that firing a general manager in the NFL without cleaning house involving the coaching staff usually fails. O’Connell must show that he’s different.
Therefore, there will be no from-the-ground-up rebuild. O’Connell will be on all the “hot seat lists” later this summer. Expect him, Flores, and Brzezinski to operate as if 2026 is Super Bowl or bust.
More Competent Drafting
Adofo-Mensah successfully connected on just five draft picks: Jordan Addison, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Nailor, Will Reichard, and Dallas Turner. Left guard Donovan Jackson could be a hit, too. Stay tuned.
He missed on these players:
- Akayleb Evans
- Andrew Booth
- Brian Asamoah
- DeWayne McBride
- Ed Ingram
- Esezi Otomewo
- Jaquelin Roy
- Jaren Hall
- Kobe King
- Lewis Cine
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Nick Muse
- Ty Chandler
- Vederian Lowe
Virtually any draft aficionado can find more than five good players in four drafts. The only place to go for O’Connell, Flores, and Brzezinski is up.
A Potential Backburner for J.J. McCarthy
If the Vikings want to pivot away from McCarthy, they have the golden opportunity — right now and throughout the rest of the offseason. While it won’t be fun for McCarthy, he can be attached to Adofo-Mensah and sidelined in 2026 or even traded.
Fair or not, McCarthy will be labeled as “Kwesi’s guy” until it’s no longer relevant, prudent, or convenient.
The person impacted most by Adofo-Mensah’s termination is McCarthy. He’s no longer the franchise’s savior, and O’Connell can pick another QB1 via trade, free agency, or the draft and leave McCarthy behind if he sees fit.
A Bold QB Move via Trade or Free Agency
Finally, now’s the time for O’Connell to “get his guy” if the rumors are true about Adofo-Mensah’s selection of McCarthy.
He can trade for Kyler Murray. He can sign Malik Willis in free agency. He can call the San Francisco 49ers about Mac Jones. He can try to pull off a Luka Doncic-style trade for Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson. As mentioned above, O’Connell must win now per the gravity of the last few days, and now’s the time for him to pursue the passer who will help him get it done.
If it’s true that O’Connell wanted Drake Maye in 2024 and Sam Darnold back in 2025, O’Connell will almost certainly find a more dependable quarterback than McCarthy in 2026.
Even while Adofo-Mensah was still employed last month, it seemed a splashy quarterback move was on the way. Now, that feels like a guarantee.
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