It’s been a few months since head coach Kevin O’Connell signed a contract extension to stay with the Minnesota Vikings for the foreseeable future, while general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is still waiting for his own extension.
This created some awkward moments on Wednesday afternoon at the TCO Performance Center, as Adofo-Mensah spoke to reporters without having any long-term job security. Instead of celebrating the addition of key talent to the roster in recent weeks, he was fielding questions about the possibility of being a “lame duck” GM.
So, how is he handling the uncertainty?
“I don’t think about that very much,” Adofo-Mensah replied. “This is probably the busiest time of the year for myself and my staff.”
And he’s not wrong. Few teams in the NFL have been as active as the Vikings recently, re-signing key players like running back Aaron Jones and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. while adding several important pieces on both sides of the ball.
Despite not having a contract extension yet, Adofo-Mensah downplayed the situation, repeating a phrase he’s used often since taking the job, including during contract talks with superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.
“It’s a process,” he said. “These things take time.”
It’s still unclear whether a deal is imminent, but Adofo-Mensah seems content to let his agent handle most of the negotiations for now. “I know that there’s positive dialogue happening,” he said. “It’s probably on me that it’s not moving quicker because I wake up every morning focused on the things I need to do to help this team get where we want to go.”
Looking at his tenure, Adofo-Mensah has had both successes and setbacks. The 2022 draft class has been a disappointment, with players like safety Lewis Cine (first round) and cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (second round) no longer on the roster.
However, his 2024 free-agent class has been a huge win, with standout performances from Jones, quarterback Sam Darnold, edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, linebacker Blake Cashman, and more.
Adofo-Mensah has managed a competitive rebuild with skill, but the big question remains: will he be around to see it through?
“I plan to be the person that’s here when we’ve ultimately accomplished our goals,” Adofo-Mensah said. “That’s what I’m working towards.”
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