Latest On Vikings’ General Manager Search

According to Wilf, the Vikings do not intend to utilize the services of “a search firm or formal consultant” but will, instead, “contract with a service that will help whittle down a list of candidates.” It’s an interesting distinction with not much clarity on what services a formal consultant would provide that the team isn’t interested in.

It appears that, without the help of a search firm or consultant, it will be Wilf “and the rest of the Wilf family” — which includes older brother and chairman/co-owner Zygi Wilf and cousin and vice chairman/co-owner Leonard Wilf — that will be making the decision. He expects that they will be advised by a “small, tight group” and that “input” will be sought from head coach Kevin O’Connell and chief operating officer Andrew Miller. There was mention of “participation from what Wilf called a ‘third party,'” as well, but it’s unclear if that was in reference to the above-mentioned service to be contracted.

Wilf relayed to the media that interviews are not expected to take place until after the 2026 NFL Draft at the end of the month. Since Adofo-Mensah’s exit, executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has taken up the mantle of interim general manager, and he will continue to do so through the draft. Wilf told the media Brzezinski had “done an outstanding job in terms of, in the building, building consensus, strategy.”

So far, with Brzezinski in GM duties, the Vikings have allowed defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, and punter Ryan Wright to depart for multi-year deals in free agency. Of their potential departing free agents, the only ones the team re-signed were backup quarterback Carson Wentz, special teams ace Tavierre Thomas, and long snapper Andrew DePaola. Minnesota has brought in three external free agents, as well, in former Steelers CB3 James Pierre, punter Johnny Hekker, and quarterback Kyler Murray.

The timing of Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal caught many by surprise, leaving the Vikings without any viable candidates to replace him so late in the process. It’s forced the team to rely on Brzezinski and newly hired football administration consultant Matt Thomas during a crucial period of team-building, and now, it appears Minnesota will continue to rely on them until after another crucial team-building event takes place at the end of the month.