Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah finally got a chance to enter the 2025 offseason with the flexibility it took three years to get while he orchestrated a competitive rebuild.
His efforts are being recognized by those around the league as we get closer to training camp, with the latest being The Athletic's Mike Jones. He labeled the Vikings winners of the offseason.
A storybook season featuring an unlikely hero in quarterback Sam Darnold ended in dramatic disappointment, with a loss to the Rams in the wild-card round. Darnold signed with the Seahawks during free agency, but Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah still has positioned his team for a prompt rebound — possibly in the form of an NFC North title.
The Vikings invested heavily in the trenches in free agency, signing defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave and offensive linemen Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and Justin Skule, while adding veterans at other key positions. The Vikings also used early draft picks on Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson and Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton. Young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, after missing his rookie season with a torn meniscus, finds himself surrounded by a fantastic supporting cast as he prepares to take over as starter.
Minnesota Vikings named offseason winners
The Vikings' moves this year were relatively simple: fix the trenches. They were strong at times when it came to blocking and rushing the passer, but the issues end up coming home to roost, and collapsing the Vikings in the worst way during the final two games.
The additions of Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, and Donovan Jackson on the offensive line are going to do wonders for J.J. McCarthy. They have insulated McCarthy to the highest degree with a bevy of talented players to help him grow throughout the season. Essentially, they have made it so McCarthy only has to play football, and not carry the team.
Defensively, things are a little bit different. They will have up to five different defensive starters, with the focus being on the defensive line. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were brought in to be difference makers when it came to the interior pass rush, and it should be much improved this year.
If all goes according to plan for the Vikings, they can make a serious run at the Super Bowl.
