The Minnesota Vikings have secured their future leadership by signing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal was finalized on Thursday night, ensuring Adofo-Mensah’s continued partnership with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who also received an extension earlier this offseason in late January.
Adofo-Mensah, previously entering the final year of his contract, expressed his enthusiasm for the extension. “I’m beyond excited to continue this journey with the Minnesota Vikings,” he said in the team’s press release. “This organization means so much to me, and I’ve always believed in what we’re building here. From the ownership to the incredible staff, there’s a true commitment to creating a winning culture with the goal of competing year in and year out. I’m thankful for the trust the Wilf family has placed in me, and I’m thrilled to continue leading our football operation alongside Coach O’Connell.”
He added, “Minnesota has welcomed my family with open arms, and we embrace the sacrifices that come with chasing the ultimate prize, knowing what it will mean to the best fan base and this great state. While we’ve made significant strides already, our focus will remain on building a team positioned as a perennial contender. This extension signifies we are on solid ground with the long-term vision we have set, and I’m incredibly excited to work with this group of talented people as we continue to push the boundaries of what this franchise can achieve.”
Since being hired in 2022 alongside O’Connell, Adofo-Mensah has helped steer the Vikings to an impressive 34-17 regular season record over three seasons, marking the franchise’s best three-year run since 1998-2000. While the team is 0-2 in playoff games during this period, the duo has transformed the organization’s culture and laid a strong foundation for sustained success through what Adofo-Mensah has described as a “competitive rebuild.”
Keep cookin’!
The #Vikings have signed GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to a multi-year contract extension.
📰: https://t.co/AQqiGspbo9 pic.twitter.com/tllpYQePa4
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 30, 2025
Vikings owner and chairman Zygi Wilf praised Adofo-Mensah’s leadership, stating, “We are extremely excited to continue this journey with Kwesi in this role and confident in the direction he and Kevin are leading our organization. Kwesi’s commitment to building a championship-caliber team and his ability to collaborate effectively and make bold, calculated decisions has positioned the Vikings for long-term success.”
At 43, Adofo-Mensah brought a unique background to Minnesota, having worked on Wall Street before entering the NFL. His front-office experience includes stints with the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, where he started in research and development in 2013. A Princeton and Stanford graduate, Adofo-Mensah has shown a knack for bold moves, particularly in veteran acquisitions.
While his draft record has been mixed—early picks like Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth Jr., Ed Ingram, and Brian Asamoah II in 2022 have underperformed—Adofo-Mensah has found success with selections like Jordan Addison in 2023 and promising talents such as Donovan Jackson, J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and Mekhi Blackmon. His undrafted free agent signing of Ivan Pace Jr. in 2023 also proved to be a gem.
Adofo-Mensah’s true strength lies in his ability to acquire veteran talent. His trade for T.J. Hockenson in 2022 was a game-changer, and his 2023 free agency signings of Byron Murphy Jr. and Josh Oliver added depth. Last offseason, he orchestrated what may be the franchise’s best free agent class ever, bringing in Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, and Blake Cashman. This year’s additions, including Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Jordan Mason, could rival that group. Additionally, Adofo-Mensah secured long-term extensions for stars Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw, solidifying the team’s core.
The Vikings also announced promotions for Ryan Grigson and Demetrius Washington to Assistant General Manager, further strengthening the front office. With Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell locked in, the Vikings are poised to continue their pursuit of a championship, building on a foundation designed for sustained success.