With Each Passing Day, The Vikings Welcome New Speculation and Doubt
A bit like playing with fire, the Vikings welcome outside speculation, doubt, and conjecture so long as the GM doesn’t have a new extension.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has addressed the issue, seeking to extinguish the flame of controversy by putting the non-existent extension on his own shoulders rather than on the organization (i.e. the Wilfs). One still does wonder, though, about the issue. Is the money not lucrative enough? Has Adofo-Mensah been asked to step aside on certain tasks, giving up some of the responsibilities that accompany being a general manager? Another mystery problem? A combination of issues?
The Vikings Welcome Controversy By Not Extending the GM
Previously, Mike Florio has discussed the issue on Pro Football Talk.
Consider one thought from Florio: “If the Vikings plan to keep [Adofo-Mensah], they should prioritize getting it done. The fact that O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah are operating on two different tracks feeds the perception (right or wrong) that there might be competing agendas. That folks aren’t on the same page. That, ultimately, it’s unclear who’s running the show.”
And another: “So the sooner they get this deal done, the better for everyone. Especially since outsiders will be less inclined to wonder whether the guy without a long-term contract is inclined to maximize short-term performance and the guy with a five-year commitment is inclined to build for the future.”
In a lot of ways, Florio is on the right track (though there shouldn’t be concerns about the GM prioritizing the short-term too much).
The different statuses of the organization’s main leaders — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell — does raise some eyebrows. Minnesota was in a rush to get their head coach locked up, and for good reason. The coach now has a well-earned reputation for squeezing the best out of his quarterbacks. In the modern NFL, is there a more coveted ability? Even better, the players love playing for him and the team has been quite successful.
The GM hasn’t been without blemishes on his record, but he has done a nice job overall. The drafting is the main problem and still a reasonable spot to criticize, but Adofo-Mensah is adept at working around a budget. He is a skilled negotiator and demonstrates strong leadership. Someone of his intelligence sometimes struggles to gear down and speak in an accessible manner, but Adofo-Mensah comes across as being down-to-earth and charming. In short, the GM has earned an extension.
Consider some of the broader discussion.
Tom Pelissero was on the Kevin O’Connell news, quickly offering the follow-up detail that Adofo-Mensah was next: “Conversations also are underway on an extension for #Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota is 34-17 since they took over in 2022 and the plan is to keep the braintrust together.” Pelissero’s update arrived on January 21st.
Ben Goessling, a plugged-in Vikings writer, offered more specific details on Adofo-Mensah’s current deal: “One note on #Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s contract: While coach contracts typically expire after the season, front office deals run through the NFL draft. So Adofo-Mensah’s deal doesn’t actually expire until after the 2026 draft. Still optimism about it getting done this offseason.” Goessling’s update arrived on April 1st.
Over and over again, the NFL proves that it’s a league where actions speak louder than words.
The top people from within the Vikings organization describe the desire for a new deal while looking to nullify any controversy. Well-informed league commentators — Florio, Pelissero, and Goessling — give onlookers more details to go off of.
All of these tidbits and nuggets of information offer their own intrigue and insight and yet none of them can accomplish what actually matters: a real, tangible contract extension for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, someone playing a starring role when it comes to turning Minnesota into a perpetual contender.
The Vikings welcome these discussions by leaving the deal for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah undone. As the offseason proceeds — and, perhaps, the season itself — the speculation and doubt will only grow louder.
The Vikings Are Moving Toward a Season with ________ New Starters
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.