Vikings Seemingly Have a Shadow GM
Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Since January, the Minnesota Vikings have lacked a clear leader in the building. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired after four years and no replacement has been hired. Rob Brzezinski was named interim GM, set to guide the franchise through the draft, but hasn’t gotten the full-time promotion.
While Brzezinski has had final say, it’s fair to speculate about who has really made the calls in the draft room. The coaching staff was more involved than in most franchises, some suspect. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote an article about the draft and what executives and coaches said about the peers’ classes.
About the Vikings, Fowler wrote , “The Vikings conducted this draft while in a transitional state, with longtime team executive Rob Brzezinski holding the interim GM tag through the draft. While Minnesota improved its defense, some around the league had questions about the overall haul. ‘How much influence did Brian Flores have [on the selections]?
’ one AFC exec asked. ‘It felt like a lot. Felt like a coach-heavy draft.
'” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, on Oct 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, observing defensive alignments and communication as Minnesota adjusted its coverage and pressure packages throughout the second half of a physical NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images The draft board tilted towards the defensive side of the ball early in the event. The first three picks and four of the five selections in rounds 1-3 were reinforcements for Flores’ group.