The 2026 NFL season continues to creep closer, but the Minnesota Vikings aren't ready for the players to take the field quite yet. There is still business that needs to be done in the front office before any games can take place.
For the Vikings, the top priority has to be finding the right individual to be the next general manager of the team. Former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was relieved of his duties following the 3035 season, and a replacement has not yet been named.
It shouldn't be too much longer before the team's ownership announces the hiring of the new general manager. This has been an extensive process that started when the 2026 NFL Draft concluded this April.
Second round of interviews in search for the next Minnesota Vikings GM has concluded
On Thursday, The Athletic's Alec Lewis revealed that the second round of interviews for the Vikings' vacant general manager position had concluded.
The following individuals were among the candidates who were part of the second round:
- Rob Brzezinski (Vikings executive vice president of football operations)
- Reed Burckhardt (Broncos assistant GM)
- Terrance Gray (Bills assistant GM)
- John McKay (Rams assistant GM)
- Nolan Teasley (Seahawks assistant GM)
In the absence of a general manager, the purple and gold have elevated Rob Brzezinski to an interim level GM. His 33 years of NFL front-office experience, plus his interim role, should make him the favorite for the job, but it shouldn't make him a lock.
Brzezinski joined Minnesota in 1999 as the director of football administration. He was promoted to vice president of football administration in 2001 and again in 2014, when he became the executive vice president of football operations for the Vikings.
GM RJ Gillen (49ers assistant GM), Dave Ziegler (Titans assistant GM), and Ray Agnew (Lions assistant GM) were not part of the second round of interviews. In addition, Chad Alexander (Chargers assistant GM) declined the interview opportunity.
Now that only five candidates remain to become the next general manager of the Vikings, and the second round of interviews has concluded, it feels like the process should quicken, especially with offseason activities underway to prepare for the upcoming season.
Minnesota needs to make a decision, but they also can't make a hasty decision that puts the wrong individual in the position for the 2026 NFL season and beyond.
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