The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has been rocky for about six weeks, with just three weeks left until free agency, when the lid will truly open. To recap, here’s a list of the three most meaningful events of the Purple Team’s offseason so far, with more to come.
Three developments shaped Minnesota’s early offseason, setting priorities for the quarterback, staff and front office.
In fact, the Vikings’ offseason was really defined by three major events.
advertise
Three turning points that have defined Minnesota’s offseason
In reverse order (first = biggest offseason moment so far), here we go.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks on the sidelines during the second quarter of an NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on September 28, 2025. O’Connell followed the action closely amid tensions overseas as Minnesota emerged on the global stage. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
3. Vikings announce ‘deep quarterback room’ as major priority
After initially delaying for unknown reasons, the Vikings held a press conference to look back at 2025 and discuss the future. Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was even present.
When asked if the Vikings would select J.J. McCarthy as their QB1 in 2026, head coach Kevin O’Connell (now general manager after Adolf-Mensah’s termination) responded: “Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it’s about having the deepest, most talented room possible every year.”
advertise
“When you’re able to plan your depth chart in a way that you’re going to be competitive no matter what, that has a pretty big impact on your salary cap, what that’s going to look like. I think there’s got to be competition at quarterback. I think that’s going to make everybody in the room better. That’s going to be what allows our entire offense to thrive in competition.”
His answer to McCarthy’s question was “We need a deep quarterback room.”
The now-irrelevant Adofo-Mensah was asked the same question and said the Vikings must meet their offseason goals, sidestepping his commitment to McCarthy entirely.
In that moment, fans learned from O’Connell and Adolf-Mensah that Minnesota wasn’t going to simply find another Sam Howell or Carson Wentz; The Vikings will trade or sign a quarterback this summer to push McCarthy to his limits or replace his job entirely.
advertise
The NFL and Vikings-themed media speculated this week that Kyler Murray could be a target for the Vikings. ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss addressed Murray’s trade price tag last month: “An NFC source believes Murray’s starting price could start with a second-round pick if Arizona is interested in trading him.”
“The source believes that if the Cardinals could trade Murray, they would. League sources believe Murray’s market starts with a third-round pick. The source compared Murray’s situation to when Geno Smith was traded from Seattle to Las Vegas for a third-round pick last March.”
2. Brian Flores re-signed
Flores was scorned by the head coaches of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, two fundamentally solid teams that seemed poised to hire him. The Steelers ended up — hilariously — selecting Mike McCarthy, while the Ravens selected Jesse Minter.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the field at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the NFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025. Flores surveyed the field as his defense prepared for another postseason challenge in the postseason spotlight. Mandatory photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Flores re-signed with the Vikings for $6 million per year after searching for a head coaching job for the fifth straight offseason. He’s not going anywhere.
advertise
Minnesota’s defense will feature top-tier continuity and a chance to build on these numbers:
-
first place pass rush winning percentage
-
fourth place Defensive third down conversion percentage
The Vikings risk a statistical decline if they hire a non-Flores recruit.
1. The Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era is over
Some, including this site, said privately in November and December that the Vikings needed a new general manager because Adofo-Mensah’s poor drafting habits had been punished. The team’s record was 4-8, and McCarthy couldn’t stay on the field.
Minnesota rallied, winning five games to close out 2025 and end a wayward season with the right record. Black Monday came and the Vikings did not fire Adofo-Mensah. He is safe. He was allowed free movement in the 2026 offseason to decide whether to keep McCarthy or try something new.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah observes pregame activities before Minnesota’s International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Adofo-Mensah stood on the sidelines as the players warmed up in a unique overseas environment. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
But after Sam Darnold and his Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship, something changed in Vikingland. Five days later, team owner Wilf fired Adofo-Mensah in one of the most shocking offseason trades in Vikings history. No one was super surprised that an executive with a draft record like Adolf-Mensah was fired, especially after botching the Darnold incident only to fire him 3.5 weeks later back It was a strange end to the regular season.
advertise
The team promoted cap specialist Rob Brzezinski to interim general manager, with O’Connell defaulting to the role of personnel general manager until the Wilfs hire a permanent replacement.
The Adofo-Mensah era is over, and maybe the bad drafting will stop.
