Though it took a bit longer than expected, the Minnesota Vikings have locked up their general manager.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings have agreed to a multiyear contract extension, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Friday, per sources. The club later announced the new deal, which came together on Thursday night, the Insiders reported.
"Kwesi's leadership, vision and collaboration with our coaching staff has positioned the Minnesota Vikings for sustained success," Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. "His dedication and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in shaping our roster and future, and we are confident that under the guidance of him and Kevin O'Connell, we will continue to compete at the highest level as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans."
The Vikings are also promoting Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington to assistant general manager roles, per Pelissero. The two have been Adofo-Mensah's top lieutenants since he arrived in Minnesota, Pelissero noted.
The Vikings agreed to an extension with head coach Kevin O'Connell on Jan. 21. Upon the announcement of O'Connell's extension, Rapoport and Pelissero reported talks with Adofo-Mensah were ongoing. Four months later, Adofo-Mensah has his extension and the HC-GM union in Minnesota is locked up for the future.
"I'm beyond excited to continue this journey with the Minnesota Vikings," Adofo-Mensah said in a statement regarding his extension. "This organization means so much to me, and I've always believed in what we're building here. From the ownership to the incredible staff, there's a true commitment to creating a winning culture with the goal of competing year in and year out. I'm thankful for the trust the Wilf family has placed in me, and I'm thrilled to continue leading our football operation alongside Coach O'Connell.
"Minnesota has welcomed my family with open arms, and we embrace the sacrifices that come with chasing the ultimate prize, knowing what it will mean to the best fan base and this great state. While we've made significant strides already, our focus will remain on building a team positioned as a perennial contender. This extension signifies we are on solid ground with the long-term vision we have set, and I'm incredibly excited to work with this group of talented people as we continue to push the boundaries of what this franchise can achieve."
The 43-year-old KAM and 40-year-old KOC have, in a sense, been a package deal since both arrived in Minnesota ahead of the 2022 season.
The Vikings have gone 34-17 with a pair of playoff berths since.
Adofo-Mensah began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 as a manager of football research and development. He eventually made his way to the Cleveland Browns as the vice president of football operations from 2020-21 before heading to the Vikings.
With his own deal now done, Adofo-Mensah will keep busy fine-tuning the team on the march to an eventual 90-man roster.
Adofo-Mensah is fresh off a busy and fruitful start to free agency, followed by an active draft.
The team re-signed running back Aaron Jones, traded for RB Jordan Mason, re-signed cornerback Byron Murphy, convinced safety Harrison Smith to return and bolstered both sides of the line with the additions of offensive linemen Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, along with defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Minnesota's five-rookie draft class is headlined by first-round guard Donovan Jackson and third-round wide receiver Tai Felton, but Adofo-Mensah also pulled off the only trade that involved an active NFL player during draft weekend, acquiring Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks to bolster his quarterback room behind 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy.
The biggest offseason headline thus far has been whom the Vikings lost, though, as quarterback Sam Darnold departed for the those same Seahawks in March.
Darnold had a career renaissance in Minnesota prior to the last two games of the season, including a wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
With Darnold gone, the Vikings appear to be all systems go with McCarthy, who's coming off knee surgery after tearing his meniscus in last year's preseason.
The fate of his newest draft haul is still far from being determined, but Adofo-Mensah's previous draft record has been a looming concern.
There have been more busts and question marks than hits. KAM's first two picks overall in 2022 -- first-rounder Lewis Cine and second-rounder Andrew Booth -- are no longer on the team.
Minnesota had two first-rounders in 2024, but, of course, McCarthy was dealt a horrible injury and Dallas Turner didn't start a game and earned a 55.2 pass rush grade from PFF. He did hit on 2023 first-rounder Jordan Addison.
Overall, Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell have been a pairing that's delivered a winner to Minnesota more often than not. The two will remain together for the long haul, looking for bigger and better results ahead.
