Let Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Cook
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went through a lot of heat during his first couple of seasons in Minnesota. Appointed as the new Minnesota Vikings GM in January of 2022, he had to, alongside the ownership, hire a new head coach, assess the roster to see areas that needed improvement, navigate free agency with a very strained salary cap, and scout college prospects.
Between his hiring, everything he had to do, and the 2022 NFL Draft, he had 92 days to accomplish all of this. Not to mention that he still had to learn the ropes of being an NFL GM and put his scouting department in place.
This wasn’t an attempt to make excuses for him. If you read some of my articles, you know I like what Adofo-Mensah has done. His first free agency was a good one, signing Patrick Peterson, Za’Darius Smith, Harrison Phillips, Johhny Mundt, and Jordan Hicks. All of them were contributors during their time with the Vikings, and Phillips even got an extension recently.
He and Kevin O’Connell understood that there were still good players on the roster, a good quarterback, and a cheap superstar wide receiver. That first free agency brought a lot of veterans to solidify a roster full of holes and try to compete, which they did.
His first draft, on the other hand, was a disappointment. You can see that there was a logic behind his moves and trades, but, as the GM said in a recent interview, he tried to do too much. He used the 33-0 comeback against the Indianapolis Colts as the analogy, stating that he tried a “33-point play” instead of taking things one step at a time.
The trade down with the Lions was made worse when Kyle Hamilton, the top-rated safety and one of the best players in that class, was available and became an instant star for the Baltimore Ravens. What happened to Lewis Cine is not entirely Adofo-Mensah’s fault, but he had to cut his first-ever pick after just two seasons. Andrew Booth, his second-ever pick, suffered a similar fate and was traded to the Cowboys during training camp.
With the team going 13-4 in 2022, even with questionable decisions by the GM, most put the praises on Kevin O´Connell (they should; he’s fantastic), and a few already went after Kwesi’s head. The only two players from that 2022 class who played significant roles were Ed Ingram, one of the worst guards in that year, and Ryan Wright, an undrafted punter.
To his credit, few GMs have used the undrafted rookie pool as much and as effectively as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, as we will see in a bit.
The 2023 offseason was quickly highlighted by three moves. First, the team would not extend QB Kirk Cousins before the season, making it the first time the signal-caller would play in a contract year with the Vikings. Adofo-Mensah also cut fan favorites Eric Kendricks and Adam Thielen to help alleviate the salary cap. Dalvin Cook (cut) and Za’Darius Smith (traded) left the team for the same reason.
Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson signed elsewhere during free agency, meaning the Vikings’ leadership took quite a hit in 2023. Josh Oliver, Byron Murphy, and Marcus Davenport highlighted the 2023 signees.
The draft was quite challenging, having only six picks after a couple of moves, like trading for T.J. Hockenson the year before. Still, the team came out of it with Jordan Addison, Mekhi Blackmon, Jay Ward, and Jaren Hall as contributors. Jaquelin Roy, a fifth-round pick, was cut this season, and Dwayne McBride, selected in the seventh round, is on the practice squad.
The biggest thing accomplished by the Vikings’ front office in 2023 was finally being in a healthy cap situation. The 2024 offseason showed how important this is.
And I can’t forget to mention undrafted free agents Najee Thompson, one of the best gunners in the league last year, and Ivan Pace Jr., who had 102 tackles, one interception, one fumble, and 2.5 sacks as a rookie.
The Vikings started last season slow with turnovers plaguing the team, and then Justin Jefferson went on IR. When things started to get better, Kirk Cousins had a season-ending Achilles injury. This propelled the Vikings to let Cousins go and ushered the team into a new era.
The 2024 offseason was a big one for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Firstly, everyone was putting the Vikings’ success on Kevin O’Connell’s shoulders, so he had to prove himself. Secondly, if you get the quarterback position wrong, you’re likely fired. With Danielle Hunter also walking, he had to fill two of the biggest positions in the sport.
To replace Hunter, the team opted for strength in numbers. Jonathan Greenard was the most expensive one after a great year with DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Andrew Van Ginkel, who was familiar with Flores after playing under him in Miami, also came in. Kwesi took another flier in a former first-round pick that didn’t pan out in DT Jerry Tillery. Jihad Ward provides more depth and versatility, too.
But they weren’t the only players signed. Blake Cashman, a Minnesota native who played in college for the Gophers, came to replace Jordan Hicks. Shaq Griffin was signed to be the CB2. Sam Darnold came to be an insurance plan at the QB position. Aaron Jones signed to bring energy to a pedestrian run game. Stephon Gilmore signed during training camp after injuries.
It has been only two games, but every one of these players already made an impact. Cashman had arguably the best game of his career against the 49ers, Ward recovered a fumble/interception forced by absolutely no one, and Greenard has been pressuring the QB a lot. Griffin and Gilmore are lacking that splashy play, but the secondary looks way better than in 2023.
And then there’s Van Ginkel, who has been a menace to opposing teams, recording two sacks, one interception, two passes defended, and one touchdown. He also came close to another pick-six against the 49ers on another screen pass. It might have been the last WR screen to Van Ginkel’s side in 2024.
The outcome of the 2024 Draft class is, of course, to be determined. However, it will define Adofo-Mensah’s legacy. J.J. McCarthy became the highest-ever drafted QB in Vikings’ history after the team jumped one spot to select him 10th overall. Dallas Turner became the first edge rusher drafted by the Vikings in the first round since 2005, taken 17th.
Before the season, Adofo-Mensah also solved his two “champagne problems,” making Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw really rich men.
McCarthy’s injury means that we will only see him in 2025, but from what he did during training camp and preseason, plus what O’Connell and the coaching staff have said about him, the Vikings finally have their franchise QB.
It started a little salty, but Adofo-Mensah is cooking.
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