Has Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Opened a Super Bowl Window for the Vikings?

Twelve NFL teams have yet to win a Super Bowl. And yes, the Minnesota Vikings are on that list. They are easily the most successful team on said list, too, with a 54.5% regular season win percentage, eighth best in NFL history. Their four Super Bowl appearances is also tied for 13th-most of all NFL teams, as well.

Despite being one of the most successful National Football League clubs ever, the Minnesota Vikings have become less relevant as time has gone on. They haven’t reached the big game since 1977. That’s nearly 50 years. Their only NFC Championship games since then were in 1998, 2000, 2009, and the 2017 seasons.

A look at the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 offseason under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

But it feels like all that might be changing for Minnesota, under the leadership of third-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. This has been one the biggest and most monumental offseasons in franchise history and easily the most important of Adofo-Mensah’s tenure in Minnesota.

In the 85-day stretch from March 11th to June 3rd, five major decisions took place that could determine the fate of Kwesi’s legacy as the Vikings’ general manager. According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune), those decisions include:

1. Let their starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and top pass rusher Danielle Hunter leave in free agency
2. Signed 14 unrestricted free agents, including a starting running back, three starting linebackers, and a starting cornerback
3. Traded up to select a quarterback in the top 10 for the first time in franchise history
4. Traded up again to take a pass rusher in the first round for the first time since 2005
5. Made their top receiver the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history

These aren’t just minor decisions. These are franchise alternating decisions that dictate where this team will be in the next five years. Are they going to continue with mediocracy or are they finally going to get over the hump and deliver Minnesota their first Vince Lombardi trophy? Goessling believes that if these moves hit, the Vikings will waltz into their Super Bowl winder in perfect position to compete for a title.

The way @BenGoessling puts it, what a wild 3 months it’s been. Kwesi and the #Vikings have been busy this offseason and Ben nails it.

“The Jefferson deal was the final bold stroke of an 85-day stretch that changed the foundation of the franchise. From March 11 to June 3, the… pic.twitter.com/a0x0W0W1qF

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 9, 2024

The Jefferson deal was the final bold stroke of an 85-day stretch that changed the foundation of the franchise… In dollars and draft picks, they paid dearly for players they hope can anchor the franchise. If it works, the Vikings might have given themselves a window for contention.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

Future of the Minnesota Vikings under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah?

The future of the Minnesota Vikings looks encouraging. They now have players at three of the game’s five most important positions (quarterback, pass rusher, and wide receiver) through 2028. A contract extension for left tackle Christian Darrisaw, one of the other two remaining important positions, seems inevitable next offseason.

Related: J.J. McCarthy Struggled Through Vikings Minicamp, Then Finished Strong

Not only do they have young talent on both sides of the ball, but they’ll have the cap space to be able to spend over the next couple seasons. If there’s any holes identified on the roster, the Vikings will have the money to spend in free agency to patch those holes.

Preach 🗣️🗣️🗣️#Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (via @BenGoessling):

"I walked into a team that I thought, Kevin thought, could win in Year 1. But ultimately, we knew we had to get to this place. We're not patting ourselves on the back here; that's not how this is. We're happy… pic.twitter.com/o5O1QxD9G8

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 9, 2024

I walked into a team that I thought, Kevin thought, could win in Year 1. But ultimately, we knew we had to get to this place. We’re not patting ourselves on the back here; that’s not how this is. We’re happy with our plan, but plans don’t get you far in this league. It’s showing up here every day on the grass and getting better, and then me going in with my staff and trying to improve the team as best we can.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah via Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

Related: Vikings WR3 Job is There for the Taking and *Surprise* Jalen Nailor is Nowhere to be Found

Adofo-Mensah seems happy about his plan and the moves he’s made this offseason. However, he told Goessling that sometimes plans don’t get you far in this league. It’s about showing up and trying to improve the team as much as possible. Overall, if Adofo-Mensah’s plan does happen to work, the Minnesota Vikings might have given themselves a window for contention for the foreseeable future.