A Vital Part of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Press Conference to Remember as Training Camp Begins
Josh Frey
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Training camp began for the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, and to kick things off, a number of people within the Vikings organiation were part of a press conference, including Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Adofo-Mensah is putting the final touches on his second offseason as Vikings GM. In his presser, which can be viewed in its entirety here, Adofo-Mensah discussed a number of topics from his excitement for camp to begin, to Kirk Cousins contract, Justin Jefferson’s extension, and even Dalvin Cook.
However, there is one portion of his comments that Vikings fans must keep in mind as training camp practices begin. The Vikings GM has made some big changes to the Vikings roster this offseason. The defense is going to look very different this year, not only from a scheme perspective, switching from Ed Donatell to Brian Flores at defensive coordinator, but also from a personnel perspective.
The Vikings parted ways with a number of veteran starters, including DT Dalvin Tomlinson, OLB Za’Darius Smith, LB Eric Kendricks, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Chandon Sullivan, CB Cam Dantzler, and CB Duke Shelley.
Pair these changes defensively with the departures of both RB Dalvin Cook and WR Adam Thielen, and Minnesota has been forced to make a ton of changes in just a few short months.
The general manager was asked what he would “bet” on with the 2023 Vikings and the changes he’s made, and while Adofo-Mensah initially played off the question, jokingly stating with a smile that he isn’t allowed to bet. His follow-up response was very honest and genuine and goes to show why this training camp period is so important for the Vikings.
“We have a lot of players that we believe in, but ultimately, belief only gets you so far. We gotta go out on the grass and see what happens,” Adofo-Mensah explained. “Ultimately, I have initial beliefs, but I’m going to go out there and learn. I’m really excited to study our practice tape, our game tape, see where we’re headed, see where we’re going, and try to make decisions to put us in the best position for this season and next.”
At the end of the day, we can say what we want about the moves on paper, and whether they look like smart ones or miscalculated ones, but we truly don’t know until the players hit the field. Adofo-Mensah doesn’t truly know, either, and that’s why he will be diligently studying this Vikings team throughout camp and the preseason.
We saw the Vikings GM make four trades during training camp last year in an attempt to make the team better both in the present and the future. Then, after Irv Smith went down with a high-ankle sprain, Adofo-Mensah swung into action once again, making a trade deadline deal in order to acquire T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions.
There is still a very real possibility that, as training camp practices get started, this Vikings team could look rather different at the end of August than it does today. We always have to keep in mind that injuries occur, which in and of themselves can send shockwaves through a team.
Especially with a team as young as the 2023 Vikings, though, there is a lot to prove in not a lot of time. If Adofo-Mensah isn’t satisfied with the production on the field, don’t be surprised if he dips back into the trade market or brings in more talent through free agency over the course of the next month.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.