The Minnesota Vikings announced today the team has signed General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to a multi-year contract extension.
“Kwesi’s leadership, vision and collaboration with our coaching staff has positioned the Minnesota Vikings for sustained success,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. “His dedication and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in shaping our roster and future, and we are confident that under the guidance of him and Kevin O’Connell, we will continue to compete at the highest level as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.”
Since being named general manager in January of 2022, Adofo-Mensah has helped the Vikings achieve two 13-plus win seasons, two playoff appearances and an NFC North title, the team’s first division title since 2017. Under Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s leadership, the Vikings have balanced short- and long-term roster construction while totaling the sixth-most wins (34) in the NFL over the last three regular seasons.
“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,” said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. “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.”
Adofo-Mensah oversaw the Vikings 2024 free agency class that powered the team to 14 wins, led by three signings being named to their first career Pro Bowls – seventh-year QB Sam Darnold, fifth-year OLB Jonathan Greenard and sixth-year OLB Andrew Van Ginkel. Also signed as free agents in 2024 were eighth-year RB Aaron Jones, who set career highs in rushing attempts (255) and rushing yards (1,138), and sixth-year LB Blake Cashman, who set career highs in starts (14), total tackles (112) and sacks (4.5). CB Byron Murphy Jr., who originally signed as a free agent in 2023, had a career year in 2024, leading the team with a career-high six interceptions and was selected to his first career Pro Bowl.
This past offseason, Adofo-Mensah re-signed both Jones and Murphy, who were set to become free agents at the start of the 2025 League Year. He solidified the Vikings offensive line, signing free agents and former Indianapolis Colts G Will Fries and C Ryan Kelly, while selecting OL Donovan Jackson in the first round (24th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. Fries, who started 31 of the 40 games he played in his first five NFL seasons in Indianapolis, was the only player league-wide to sign a five-year contract during the 2025 free agency period. Adofo-Mensah also added to the Vikings backfield, acquiring RB Jordan Mason in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Defensively, Adofo-Mensah signed two-time Pro Bowlers DL Jonathan Allen (2021 and 2022) and Javon Hargrave (2021 and 2023) and welcomed Super Bowl LIX champion CB Isaiah Rodgers to Minnesota.
“I’m beyond excited to continue this journey with the Minnesota Vikings,” said Adofo-Mensah. “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. 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.”
Prior to the 2024 season, Adofo-Mensah led the negotiation and finalized a historic contract extension with All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. In addition to Jefferson’s contract, Adofo-Mensah signed cornerstone pieces T Christian Darrisaw and TE T.J. Hockenson to long-term extensions. Most recently, he signed Van Ginkel, a 2024 Pro Bowler and All-Pro honoree, to a one-year contract extension in April of 2025.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, he selected two first round players, QB J.J. McCarthy and OLB Dallas Turner. McCarthy became the highest drafted quarterback in franchise history after Adofo-Mensah secured the 10th-overall draft pick via trade. Adofo-Mensah also selected WR Jordan Addison, who trails only Randy Moss and Jefferson for the most receiving yards by a Viking in their first two years in the league, 23rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
VIKINGS NAMED AP FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO UNDER ADOFO-MENSAH
Andrew DePaola, LS 2022, 2024
Justin Jefferson, WR 2022, 2024
VIKINGS NAMED AP SECOND-TEAM ALL-PRO UNDER ADOFO-MENSAH
Kene Nwangwu, KR 2022
Andrew DePaola, LS 2023
Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB 2024
VIKINGS NAMED TO PRO BOWL UNDER ADOFO-MENSAH
Dalvin Cook, RB 2022
Kirk Cousins, QB 2022
Sam Darnold, QB 2024
Andrew DePaola, LS 2022-2024
Jonathan Greenard, OLB 2024
C.J. Ham, FB 2023
T.J. Hockenson, TE 2022
Danielle Hunter, OLB 2022, 2023
Justin Jefferson, WR 2022, 2024
Byron Murphy, CB 2024
Brian O’Neill, T 2024
Za’Darius Smith, OLB 2022
Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB 2024
(info and stock photo courtesy of Vikings)
