The Minnesota Vikings have hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the team’s new general manager, the team announced Wednesday night.
Adofo-Mensah is replacing longtime GM Rick Spielman, who fired by the team at season’s end.
He will lead the team’s football operation after spending the past two seasons as the Vice President of Football Operations for the Cleveland Browns.
In Cleveland, the 40-year-old Adofo-Mensah worked closely with Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry and provided input for all roster and strategy decisions.
Prior to the Browns, Adofo-Mensah spent seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, where he first entered the NFL. During his tenure with the 49ers, Adofo-Mensah quickly advanced in the football research and development department. He joined the team as Football Research and Development Analyst (2013-16) before earning promotions to Manager of Football Research and Development in 2017 and Director of Football Research and Development in 2018.
“Kwesi has a clear philosophy on building a complementary football team,” said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. “His intelligence, progressive mindset, and passion for the game, along with his ability to make thoughtful and intentional decisions, provide a tremendous foundation as he leads our football operations.”
Adofo-Mensah is happy for the opportunity and hopes to bring a Super Bowl to Minnesota.
“I am extremely thankful to the Wilf family and the Vikings organization for giving me the opportunity to lead our football operations and join this respected franchise,” said Adofo-Mensah via a press release. “There is so much to appreciate about this organization – an existing nucleus of talent on the roster, top-notch facilities, passionate fans, and smart people throughout the building who are committed to winning. I look forward to partnering with our next head coach and our entire football operations staff to begin our work of bringing a Super Bowl to Vikings fans.”
Adofo-Mensah will help find Minnesota’s next head coach as former coach Mike Zimmer was fired at the end of the season.
It should be interesting to see what Minnesota does at the head coaching position. However, no matter what they do, Adofo-Mensah will have a big say in who’s coaching the Vikings in 2022.
