A Look Back at Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Best Decisions of the 2023 Vikings Offseason
Josh Frey
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Folks, we are just a couple days away from NFL free agency, and thus, the ramp up in the 2024 offseason.
Obviously, the 2023 season ended in disappointment for the Vikings, but it didn’t mean that there weren’t plenty of positive decisions made by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Before the 2024 offseason gets rolling, here is a look back at the GM’s best decisions of the 2023 offseason.
Josh Metellus Extension
Through the first three seasons of his NFL career, Josh Metellus was largely a special teams contributor for the Vikings. He played a combined 70 defensive snaps through his first two seasons, but he did make three starts with the defense in 2022.
Due to the success in those starts, Adofo-Mensah opted to give him a contract extension of two years worth a total of $8 million, and it was arguably the general manager’s best decision of the 2023 offseason. Metellus not only started all 17 games for the Vikings this past season, but he proved to be a Swiss army knife for the defense, recording 116 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five passes defended, an interception, and four forced fumbles.
Not only has Metellus grown into one of the more productive safeties in the NFL, but he is under contract through 2025 and won’t hold a cap hit greater than $4.775 million. Especially if Minnesota parts ways with Harrison Smith, Metellus will be a huge part of the Vikings defense over the next couple years on a very affordable contract.
Draft Selection of Jordan Addison
Adofo-Mensah has drawn a lot of criticism for the Vikings 2022 draft class, and it is a valid sour mark on his resume as GM. However, we also have to recognize his draft success in 2023.
Coming out of USC, Jordan Addison looked like one of the more versatile wide receivers in the entire 2023 draft class. As a result, Minnesota decided to scoop him up with the 23rd overall pick, and Addison went on to put together a very strong rookie season.
The receiver finished his season with 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He tied Lions TE Sam LaPorta for most receiving TDs among all rookies, and Addison and LaPorta became the 19th and 20th players in NFL history to record 10+ receiving TDs during their first NFL seasons. Addison did a great job of replacing Adam Thielen’s production, and hopefully, he can develop into another superstar receiver alongside Justin Jefferson. Adofo-Mensah nailed his first-round pick last year.
The UDFA Class
Not only did Adofo-Mensah find contributors in the draft, but he also had a very impressive UDFA class. Ivan Pace comes to mind immediately because of his electrifying presence on Minnesota’s defense. Not only did he make the roster, an impressive feat in and of itself for an undrafted player, but he appeared in all 17 games and made 11 starts with the defense.
Pace finished the year with the 16th-best PFF grade among linebackers to play at least 500 snaps, and he contributed 102 tackles, two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pair of passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble. The Cincinnati product looks like a player to build around.
Additionally, NaJee Thompson made the roster for his prowess as a special teamer. He was an elite gunner on the unit. Finally, Andre Carter is another name to keep an eye on as a pass rusher moving into 2024.
Cutting Ties with Veterans
General managers not only need to know when to push the right buttons for acquisitions, but they also need to know the right time to part ways with veterans on their rosters. Adofo-Mensah did a great job of that in 2023 when he decided to move on from names like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, and Adam Thielen.
Particularly in the case of Cook, it was very clearly the right time to move on as the veteran running back produced only 67 carries for 214 yards over 15 games with the New York Jets. He was then cut prior to the conclusion of the regular season and caught on with Baltimore Ravens for the playoffs.
Yes, the Vikings running game was a disaster at times during the 2023 season, but it was very clearly the right time to move on from Cook.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
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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.