MN Vikings Owner Clearly Defines New Balance of Power

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Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O'Connell watch on as Nolan Teasley is introduced at TCO Performance Center as Minnesota Vikings general manager
Credit: Kevin Seifert (ESPN) - @SeifertESPN

The Minnesota Vikings have just one OTA practice remaining this week (Thursday), before they break for a couple weeks, then reconvene again on Monday, June 15 for the start of mandatory minicamp.

So it made sense for the Vikings, on their day off Wednesday, to officially introduce their new general manager Nolan Teasley, which they did, with a fresh-looking new podium setup at TCO Performance Center that has a beautiful studio backdrop and even raised seating for members of the media.

All it’s missing is a few podium teleprompters and the Vikings could host the next big presidential speech, if they felt so inclined. And when Teasley — buttoned up for the occasion in full suit, tie, and Vikings lapel — took to the podium, he was all business.

We found out a few things today, and certainly learned more about Nolan — who answered most questions asked by reporters, but didn’t hesitate to turn down those that came his way regarding his plans for the roster between now and week one and those surrounding the future of employees now working under Teasley.

The most interesting portion of today’s presser, however, did not take place between reporters and the new GM. Instead, that back-and-forth came when owner Mark Wilf was asked about the new leadership structure of the Minnesota Vikings’ front office.

Mark Wilf Clearly defines MN Vikings’ new front office structure

To Wilf’s credit, he did not hide or hold back with his answers. Despite reports of a new “Triangle of Authority” Mark layed out very plainly a front office structure that has Teasley at the top, with final say on all things football operations, including the 53-man roster.

However, Wilf also noted that head coach Kevin O’Connell — who played a large role in hiring Teasley — reports directly to ownership, just like the new GM.

Meanwhile, Rob Brzezinski — who was in attendance today, seated in the front row wearing a polo shirt next to O’Connell — slots into the front office totem pole underneath the new GM, just like the longtime executive did with previous general manager.

“Nolan is, as far as the gentle, he’s the general manager of the organization. He has final say on the roster of the 53, but in the end, he’s gonna lean heavily and he’ll say it himself on our head coach, obviously, and people like Rob Brzezinski in the building that have deep experience and skill sets that are complementary.”

“So will, just to be clear here too, Kevin Nolan and Rob all report directly to you, or how’s that gonna trickle? No, no — Nolan, the general manager, reports to ownership, as well as the head coach.

Rob is part of the football operations, a football organization that’s under Nolan. So again, in the end, that’s the structure. That’s the way it is. If it comes to structure, we’ve got a problem, OK?”

Mark Wilf – Nolan Teasley introductory press conference (video above)

Related: JJ McCarthy Ready to Demand Trade Out of Minnesota?

In other words, when push comes to shove, the Minnesota Vikings’ new general manager will make the final call. However, there’s no doubt he’s aware of the fact taht KOC is currently the more important piece of the organization.

Same old job for Rob Brzezinski?

Meanwhile, any additional responsibilities or power that Rob has, after operating as the Vikings interim GM all offseason, will not be relayed as part of any new title or official climb up the organization’s front office hierarchy.

That doesn’t Brzezinksi’s voice doesn’t carry any weight around Eagan. But whatever power he does have, beyond the normal duties as executive vice president of football operations, it doesn’t seem like it’s written in ink.

With that being said, Mark Wilf reiterated that part of Nolan Teasley’s hire, is due to his ability and reputation to work well with others around him. Or as the Minnesota Vikings like to phrase it — he’s good at “building consensus” within a a high-stress and high-risk environment, like that of an NFL front office.

Uniting Teasley with O’Connell — another highly-respected consensus builder — should mean fewer moments of tension and/or hostility, due to a difference in opinion on future player personnel at TCO Performance Center.

As Mark noted, they’d have way bigger problems, if that overall process is fractured.

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