Vikings Fans Have a Verdict on the General Manager

Brzezinski took over in an interim capacity, with his hat in the ring for the permanent gig.

But fans would rather Brzezinski not continue. Here’s the poll:

One hundred eighty-six people responded, and the poll was not scientific.

Brzezinski’s Track Record

Despite fans’ hesitation, the longer one considers Brzezinski as general manager, the more sense it makes. He has already managed the Vikings’ free agency cycle and draft following Adofo-Mensah’s departure.

His deep knowledge of the organization’s budget, contracts, and cap sheet provides him with a thorough understanding of internal operations — a sweet advantage. While NFL general manager roles are often perceived as solely focused on scouting and roster vision, the financial aspect is paramount, and Brzezinski has been entrusted with it for years.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talks with owner Zygi Wilf during training camp at TCO Stadium while the franchise prepared for the upcoming season. The conversation came during practice activities on Aug. 3, 2023, in Eagan, Minnesota, with leadership continuing to shape roster expectations and organizational priorities. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings fans have long dubbed him the “cap wizard,” a reputation that should warrant him a genuine shot at the top job.

The arrangement also aligns perfectly with the Vikings’ recent actions. By firing Adofo-Mensah but retaining Kevin O’Connell, the team fundamentally altered its GM search. Most NFL teams link the head coach and general manager, with their fates typically intertwined. Minnesota, however, kept O’Connell, effectively positioning him as the primary figure in their football operations.

Within this model, Brzezinski emerges as an ideal fit.

O’Connell can maintain significant involvement in roster vision, while Brian Flores can heavily influence defensive personnel decisions. Brzezinski, in turn, can oversee the front office, manage the salary cap, handle contracts, and ensure operational efficiency. The Vikings demonstrated the viability of this distributed structure during the recent draft.

Furthermore, this approach provides ownership with considerable flexibility. Should the season underperform — finishing, for instance, with a 6-11 or 7-10 record — Minnesota could reset without a major structural upheaval. O’Connell could be dismissed, Brzezinski could revert to his previous role, and the team could then pursue a new GM-head coach pairing. Conversely, if the Vikings succeed, the move will appear steady, logical, and perhaps even long overdue.

Otherwise, if a poor season unfolds, the new non-Brzezinski general manager will have lived in both worlds: working with players that O’Connell, Flores, and Brzezinski drafted while carving out his own vision.

The Outside Candidates

The Vikings’ owners announced last week the general manager search would be private — but then updates started spilling into public view on Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray watches from the sideline as the Pittsburgh Steelers host Buffalo at Acrisure Stadium. Gray has emerged as a notable NFL executive name during recent hiring cycles because of his scouting background and front-office experience. The appearance occurred on Nov. 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote, “The Minnesota Vikings have identified their first general manager candidate outside the organization. The Vikings requested an interview with Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray for their GM job, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per a source.”

“Gray has been with the Bills since 2017, but spent 11 seasons with Minnesota as a scout, so he is well-known within the building. Prior to his stint with the Vikings, Gray worked in the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office.”

Gray will be the first of many, and the process evidently won’t be so secretive after all.

Some have hinted that a different person inside the current front office, too, such as Ryan Grigson, could walk away with the job.

How We Got Here

The Vikings need a new general for two primary reasons:

1. From 2022 to 2025 — four drafts — Adofo-Mensah picked underwhelming players, connecting on only about 15% to 20% of selections. Adofo-Mensah’s best pick might be a kicker (Will Reichard). A team cannot draft poorly and hope to win a Super Bowl. It is impossible.
2. Last offseason, Minnesota had several quarterback options, including Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers. It landed on J.J. McCarthy as the sole QB1 solution. He struggled, while Darnold, Jones, and Rodgers played better. Darnold won a Super Bowl, and his success appeared to be the final nail in Adofo-Mensah’s coffin.

Therefore, the next general manager — Brzezinski, Gray, or someone else — must draft at a normal or stellar hit rate and make responsible quarterback decisions. It’s really that simple.