In a wild turn of events, the Minnesota Vikings decided to fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday after four years in the position.
This was a stunning move, especially since it came more than three weeks after the NFL season ended and all general manager roles were filled. Minnesota is left in a very awkward situation: it will move forward with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski leading the front office through April, and a search for a new general manager will begin after the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Vikings are now left trying to figure out who will partner with head coach Kevin O'Connell to take Minnesota to the next level and win a Super Bowl. At first glance, there are already four candidates who make sense for the team to consider for the now-vacant GM role.
4 GM candidates the Minnesota Vikings should already be thinking about after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Andy Weidl - Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant GM
Andy Weidl was a candidate for the Atlanta Falcons general manager this offseason. He has been working with the Steelers since 2022 and spent nearly a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles as a scout, leaving as the vice president of player personnel.
A lot of credit for what the Steelers have done with their offensive line goes to Weidl for the scouting work he did. The Vikings need someone with an eye for finding that kind of talent in the building.
Alec Halaby - Philadelphia Eagles Assistant GM
Alec Halaby is a young rising star in the front office, having been with the Eagles since 2007. He was a candidate for the Miami Dolphins general manager job before being passed over.
The Eagles have been to two Super Bowls in five years and won one in 2024, and if Vikings fans are being honest, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman might be the best in the league right now. Minnesota should try to copy Philadelphia's notes and get Halaby in the building.
Josh Williams - San Francisco 49ers Director of Scouting and Football
Josh Williams has kept himself very busy this offseason, interviewing for the Falcons' and Dolphins' general manager openings, but didn't get them. Over the last 15 years, Williams has worked within the 49ers organization, with most of that time spent as a scout for the team.
San Francisco has assembled some great talent over the years and has remained competitive, making the Super Bowl twice in the last seven years. Minnesota hasn't had that kind of success in the draft in Adofo-Mensah's tenure, so adding a general manager with a scouting background makes sense.
James Liipfert - Houston Texans Assistant GM
Liipfert came close to landing the Falcons' general manager job as he was one of the two finalists before Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham got the job. Since 2018, Liipfert has worked with the Texans, starting as a director of scouting before being the assistant general manager starting in 2025.
Houston has been in the playoffs three straight seasons and has become the model of consistency. The Vikings might want to take a look at him and see how he can bring that to Minnesota.