Not many NFL teams were as active in the offseason as the Minnesota Vikings over the past month.
The Vikings spent the second most money in the NFL, about $296 million, on free agency, according to Over The Cap. Their big offseason moves included Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Ryan Kelly. They also re-signed key players such as Aaron Jones, Byron Murphy Jr., and Harrison Smith.
All these moves have shown that Minnesota General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is willing to spend big money to get the Vikings to the Super Bowl. So why do some people around the league feel there is more behind the scenes than meets the eye?
The Athletic’s NFL senior writer, Mike Sando, wrote in his article this week that he spoke to several NFL executives about the offseason all NFC teams were having. Minnesota came up as one of the most intriguing among the executives.
NFL executives asked who would make the free agent decisions: Adofo-Mensah or Vikings Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Grigson.
“It’s like the 2015 Colts all over again, signing older guys who have been hurt, who are on third or fourth contracts,” one exec said to Sando. “You cannot build a team with old players, especially old players who have been cut because they were hurt.”
This refers to the Colts' practice of signing multiple players over 30 years old during Grigson's tenure as general manager in 2015. They signed players like Trent Cole, Frank Gore, and Andre Johnson, who were already past their prime.
Another executive was curious about Adofo-Mensah’s contract, which expires after the 2026 NFL Draft.
“There is no more fascinating team than Minnesota because they have 13- and 14-win seasons over the past three years but no playoff win to show for it and only one division title,” another exec told Sando. “The head coach seems like a difference maker, a multiplier. If Kwesi does not get a new deal, would they just promote Grigson? It’s fascinating.”
There have been ongoing discussions between Adofo-Mensah and co-owner Mark Wilf about a new contract.
Minnesota was more aggressive in free agency. The team’s draft picks are limited, with only four selections. With the money already spent, they don’t have much flexibility to sign top draft prospects.
In the short game, the Vikings won the media over with their moves, but in the long game, the hope is their new signings can help them win a Super Bowl in 2025 with time running out.
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