It wasn’t for a lack of action league-wide, because it was a busy deadline. The New York Jets were offloading star players like they were “must go” items at the neighborhood’s hottest garage sale, sending Sauce Gardner to Indy and DT Quinnen Williams to Dallas for a total of three first round picks and one second.

The Saints shipped away WR Rashid Shaheed to Seattle for a package of day three picks. We also saw a willingness to sell from the Titans and Raiders. Yet, the MN Vikings stood pat, deciding to roll forward the rest of the season, largely with pieces they already have on roster.

Why did Minnesota Vikings stand pat at 2025 NFL Trade Deadline?

What is the thinking behind Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s inaction, in the days/hours leading up the 3 p.m. CST? According to beat writer Alec Lewis (The Athletic), the Vikings are supposedly working under the belief that they do not have any real weaknesses on the roster, as long as it’s healthy.

On the Vikings at deadline: No season-ending injuries warranting replacement, no major holes. Definitely made considerations. Simultaneously, team has been very mindful of generating/maintaining draft capital moving forward. Their investment in '25 is obvious. Roster costs $344M.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 4, 2025

Related: QB Injury in DC Will Impact Vikings’ Season in Major Way

First, let’s address this fallacy that the Minnesota Vikings roster, as currently constructed, has no weaknesses. It’s an important part of this conversation, because it’s not true, even if we somehow pretend this team will stay healthy for the next 9 weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs.

In the secondary alone, the Vikings could 100% use a talented addition that would balance out that room and move guys like Jeff Okudah and Fabian Moreau down the depth chart. They have two sub-25 year olds occupying the QB room and they could still use more help in the backfield, among other things.

Which brings us to the real reason general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah likely sat on his hands today. Given the last part of Alec’s tweet above — “[the Vikings] investment in ’25 is obvious. Roster costs $344M” — it’s pretty clear the Wilfs are uninterested in investing more money into the 2025 roster.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah cut off from Wilf’s bank account?

Why? Because they they’re already scheduled to pay nearly $350 million for a winning team. So when the dust settles, if Zygi & Co. do not receive what they believe is a worthy return on their investment, then it sounds to me like there will be a different conversation taking place between ownership and the MN Vikings GM, regarding his future with the organization.

And assuming my inference is correct, the Wilfs are 100% right. The MN Vikings spent more money over the summer than just about any other team in the NFL. If that investment results in winning, then great. That’s why you made it.

Don’t think there was an obvious path here. The state of the Kwesi discourse is that some will be upset with no moves. Others would be irritated if he gave up more draft picks. FWIW, they already have one of the NFL’s most expensive rosters. https://t.co/3jTM47DVWy

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 4, 2025

Related: MN Vikings Lineman Trying to Play Again; Safety Enters Concussion Protocol

But if not, then smart businessmen do not continue to re-invest in a failing product. Instead, they re-evaluate what’s not working. And when they do that on the 2025 Vikings, where will the biggest issues be? At the top of the front office.

After all, it’s Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s failed draft classes year-after-year that are forcing the Minnesota Vikings to rely on high-priced free agent acquisitions in ways that are not historically sustainable in any pro sport, outside of big market Major League Baseball teams.

Is this the Wilfs telling Kwesi, ‘Hey, we have already given you enough money to win. If you don’t, that’s on you.’? Because it sure feels that way. Even though they gave Adofo-Mensah a contract extension last offseason, trusting a historically poor drafter to rebuild through the draft… makes very little sense.

Win or go home get fired.

That’s why it was no surprise when the ever-expanding Manning productions, alongside Amazon Prime, tagged Jefferson to star in an early episode of their new streaming series called, “The Undercovers”. Manning produced a show for the streaming service called The Undercovers and Justin Jefferson is the star.

Justin Jefferson gets Kwesi in photography ruse

In this episode, Justin Jefferson dresses up as a nature photographer named Darius Frost, who infiltrates TCO Performance Center to mess with teammates, coaches and executives, including general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who thought he was walking in to get his yearly team headshot done.

The Vikings GM had no idea he was talking to Justin Jefferson 😭 pic.twitter.com/5xLq9q7Kfo

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 16, 2025

Midway through the session, the interactions between “Darius” and Kwesi start to get weird, with the fake photographer making comments like “shorts with a blazer is crazy” and asking questions like “what does GM stand for?”

Still, Adofo-Mensah had no idea he was being had, even when Justin tried to give it away by revealing the HORRIBLE photos he snapped during their shoot. Still, nothing, Finally, one last handshake from Darius Frost though, and Adofo-Mensah loses it.

The Undercovers starring JUSTIN JEFFERSON is out now on Prime Video 🤩📸 pic.twitter.com/dzChRqJkNg

— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) October 16, 2025

Minnesota Vikings bamboozled by “Darius Frost”

An absolute level of hilarity ensues and Adofo-Mensah simply says, “I got got.” It wasn’t just Kwesi though. The full episode shows Jefferson showing up to a flag football game and keeping his disguise intact, while his teammates were also quizzed on a picture of Darius Frost and couldn’t come up with which locker room mate it was.

There will be no disguise that hides Jefferson from the Philadelphia Eagles defense on Sunday. However, the addition of Jordan Addison back in the lineup has helped to take away some of the focus.

Minnesota will look for their fourth win of the season, and Jefferson will continue his pursuit of another strong year. Through five games he has 449 yards and one touchdown on 29 receptions.

Who even is this guy? https://t.co/XO3ZiFIRYX pic.twitter.com/bPgG5R4xS4

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 16, 2025

For the most part, camp has been a success in Eagan. Their biggest preseason problem, at least so far, has been injuries and illnesses to key starters. On defense, Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel have been held out for the past couple weeks. Josh Metellus has missed time too.

Most recently, though, the Vikings’ health concerns have been focused more seriously on the wide receiver room, where for weeks Justin Jefferson has been out nursing a hamstring injury and Jordan Addison’s been preparing for a three game suspension that kicks in week one.

But last week at joint practices vs New England, Jalen Nailor hurt his wrist, putting his week one status in jeopardy too, springing all sorts of rumblings that the Vikings would be on the hunt for WR help.

Minnesota Vikings officially on the hunt for WR help

Until this morning, however, those rumors were more so based on assumptions that GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would like to have more than just Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson and a bunch of nobodies for JJ McCarthy to throw to.

That ended Wednesday when Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) reported on X (Twitter) that, according to his sources, the Minnesota Vikings are “seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market”.

With Jordan Addison suspended and multiple injuries, the #Vikings are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources.

All-Pro Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on track for Week 1. His early-season running mate may not be on the roster. pic.twitter.com/9dRToHdgvY

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 20, 2025

Related: Minnesota Vikings Sign Two New Players; Cut Linebacker

Pelissero’s report didn’t come with any wide receiver names that they MN Vikings might be after, but he did follow up his original tweet by noting that “a trade is not imminent”, but that Kwesi & Co. are “actively looking” for wide receiver help. Cutdown day is six days out and the start of the regular season just 19.

Obviously, the next question is which wide receivers the Vikings are chasing. Some of the more high-profile receiver names that have been rumored to be on the trade block recently, include Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Adam Thielen (Panthers), Terry McLaurin (Commanders) and Brian Robinson Jr (Commanders).

Other teams searching for wide receivers too

According to Dianna Russini (The Athletic), the Minnesota Vikings front office isn’t the only one perusing the trade market for wide receiver help. Other teams she named include the Jets and Niners, but it sounds like there are more, which could make Kwesi’s search that much more difficult.

The Jets are among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, per sources. The 49ers and Vikings are also making calls.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 20, 2025

It’s also worth noting that the Vikings do have some options remaining on the free agent market. Last week, they were linked to Odell Beckham Jr, but Amari Cooper, Nelson Agholor, Tyler Boyd and DJ Chark are among some others still waiting to be signed.

The all too obvious option, even if it’s not the only guy they bring in, is Brandon Powell — who played meaningful snaps for Minnesota in each of the past two seasons, not to mention he can return punts and kicks. In the end, we’ll see what Kwesi and KOC pull out of their hats. But clearly, they’re planning to do something.

Kwesi & Co. used free agency and the draft to filled gaping holes on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines, while adding depth to other positions, like running back and linebacker. They also swapped quarterbacks (again), and talked Harrison Smith into one more year.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, other Minnesota Vikings executives receive contract extensions

And now that most of the 2025 offseason moving and grooving is over, the Minnesota Vikings are turning their focus to player development and getting their new team ready for next season, which is the perfect time for the Wilf family to reward Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office staff for their hard work, with fresh contract extensions.

It’s not just Kwesi getting a new deal, though. His right-hand men, Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington, are getting raises and new job titles (Assistant General Managers), as well. News broke of the Vikings’ front office contract extensions Friday morning.

The #Vikings have signed GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to a multiyear contract extension, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

The deal was signed Thursday night. Minnesota is 34-17 with two playoff trips since Kevin O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah arrived. Now both are signed for years to come. pic.twitter.com/q3EiJN9pix

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 30, 2025

More #Vikings news: The team is promoting Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington to assistant general manager, per sources.

Grigson and Washington have been Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s top lieutenants since he got to Minnesota. Now, a new contract for KAM, and new titles for his guys.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 30, 2025

Hired during the 2022 offseason, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has taken a lot of heat for the unproductive drafts the Minnesota Vikings have had, since he took over, especially his infamous first class, of 2022, when he drafted Lewis Cine late in the first round, after a lengthy trade-back.

Vikings push chips all-in on Kwesi

There were whispers behind the scenes earlier this offseason that had insiders around the league wondering who exactly is making the decisions for the Vikings. There were even questions surrounding whether it was Kwesi pulling levers, or new assistant GM, Ryan Grigson.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy

Then, Kwesi went home sick during the NFL Draft Combine, leaving head coach Kevin O’Connell to do multiple jobs in Indianapolis (where he flourished). That only added more fuel to Kwesi’s rumor fire, after KOC got his extension early this offseason, and Adofo-Mensah was forced to wait..

But all of that seems behind us now. The Wilf family has decided that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is there general manager, both now, and into the future. No matter what growing pains that entails. Is he the right guy for the job, time will tell. Clearly, the Wilfs believe so.

Minnesota’s offseason isn’t over, but the heavy lifting is largely done. That means the GM and head coach can focus on plugging smaller holes and tweaking the roster, as the Vikings get ready for the season ahead.

The Minnesota Vikings went on quite the talent shopping spree this offseason?

To date, the Minnesota Vikings have shored up both the offensive and defensive lines, by signing (C) Ryan Kelly, (LG) Will Fries, (DT) Javon Hargrave, and (DT) Jonathan Allen, all of which were ranked inside The Athletic’s Top 15 free agents entering the offseason.

Jonathan Allen with the spinning back fist sack pic.twitter.com/tl1kqBvaGm

— mike (@bengals_sans) July 5, 2024

They also re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. and Aaron Jones, along with less celebrated free agent signings like (CB) Isaiah Rodgers, (CB) Jeff Okudah, (S) Bubba Bolden, (LB) Eric Wilson and (T) Jacob Skule, among others.

Related: Report: NFL Teams Still Wonder if Aaron Rodgers is Waiting for MN Vikings

Of course, high-end help isn’t cheap. And given how many good players the Minnesota Vikings added/brought back this offseason, the total bill ended up being way more than any other team in the NFL has spent, since the 2024 season ended in February.

How much did all this talent cost the Vikings?

According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, the Vikings $362.3 million in total contract dollars is $22 million more than the second place Buffalo Bills. The Chicago Bears are second in the NFC North, in contract dollars signed, at nearly $319 millions.

The $264 million Minnesota has spent on 12 free agent contracts ranks second in the NFL and trails only the New England Patriots’ $359.6 million spent on 16 contracts.

The Vikings so far this year are No. 1 in the NFL in cash spent on players, $362.3 million, per spotrac.com. The Packers at $259.5 million, are No. 27 in the 32-team league. Last season, the Vikings ranked 18th at $228.4 million, the Packers 19th at $234 million.

Charley Walters – Pioneer Press

If we know anything in Minnesota, it’s that in other sports like baseball, money buys happiness. Unfortunately, with a hard salary cap in place, the same cannot be said in the National Football League, where money spent in free agency rarely correlates to winning.

For Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the Vikings coaching staff, that is their challenge. Fitting all of these new (and sometimes expensive) pieces into a puzzle that can win games, both in the regular season and playoffs.

They entered free agency with major questions at quarterback, on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines, in the secondary, at running back and at wide receiver. With nearly a month remaining until the NFL Draft, both trenches have been addressed. So has the secondary and backfield.

Skeptics pick Minnesota Vikings offseason apart

But not everyone is a fan of what the Minnesota Vikings have done over the past month. In fact, there are league executives questioning what exactly general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office are trying to accomplish.

From a skeptic’s point of view, the Vikings did nothing more than sign a bunch of injury-prone veterans who may look like decent additions on paper, but who in reality, may struggle to stay on the field. Take a peak at what one anonymous NFL executive told Mike Sando (The Athletic)

The top three free agents Minnesota signed — guard Will Fries ($17.5 million APY, turns 27 on Friday), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen ($17 million APY, age 30) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave ($15 million APY, age 32) — combined to miss 35 of 51 games last season.

“It’s like the 2015 Colts all over again, signing older guys who have been hurt, who are on third or fourth contracts,” one exec said, referencing an Indianapolis team that added 30-something former stars Trent Cole, Frank Gore, Kendall Langford and Andre Johnson in free agency… “You cannot build a team with old players, especially old players who have been cut because they were hurt.”

The Athletic

There’s really no arguing this anonymous executive’s take on the Minnesota Vikings’ free agency situation this offseason. They re-signed a 36-year-old Harrison Smith and 30-year-old Aaron Jones filled their interior line questions with guys all over the age of 30, who have struggled to stay healthy during their careers.

The only 20-something signed was new right guard, Will Fries, who missed most of 2024 due to injury. Should the Vikings’ offseason experimenting with the roster were to fail, the first finger would be pointed at the age and injury history of the free agents they signed.

More questions surrounding Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s role with the Vikings

And that brings us to the next question raised by these anonymous NFL executives, via Sando’s article on Thursday at The Athletic. It isn’t the first time we have heard this in the past month, but there are people around the league who continue to question who exactly is calling the shots behind the scenes at TCO Performance Center.

This time, however, our anonymous executives are naming names. This Vikings’ moves this offseason, at least from their experience, seems to have the fingerprints of executive director of player personnel (and former Indianapolis Colts GM) Ryan Grigson all over it. Obviously, the league has noticed how much pull head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have had with roster building, as well.

[The Vikings’ free agency strategy] caught execs’ attention at a time when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has an unresolved contract. Some are questioning who is making the decisions for Minnesota.

Indy’s then-general manager, Ryan Grigson, is now the Vikings’ senior vice president of player personnel. Although Minnesota has struggled in the draft recently, the team has fared well at finding veteran pieces for defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“There is no more fascinating team than Minnesota because they have 13- and 14-win seasons over the past three years but no playoff win to show for it and only one division title,” another exec said. “The head coach seems like a difference maker, a multiplier. If Kwesi does not get a new deal, would they just promote Grigson? It’s fascinating.”

Mike Sando – The Athletic

Sando’s article goes on to talk about the uncertainty surrounding the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation, and how weird it got for a little while, with Aaron Rodgers. We all know the approach in Eagan is one of collaboration. But when does collaboration become everyone else doing one guy’s job?

Related: New Vikings O-Lineman Helped Sign His Former Teammate

That seems to be the underlying question around the NFL, when it comes to who is calling the shots for the Vikings. Yes, the Wilfs addressed questions about Kwesi’s lack of a contract extension this week, essentially telling media members that it is coming. But those plugged into the league seem hesitant to believe him.

Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf sought to quash such speculation at the league meetings, noting that the organization has had “very, very positive conversations” with Adofo-Mensah regarding a new contract. He also indicated there would be no shift in the power dynamic between head coach and GM. But until a new deal is in place, people will wonder.

Mike Sando – The Athletic

Those signings have been deliberate too, directly addressing many of the most glaring weaknesses in all three phases of the Vikings’ roster. And at the forefront of everything (or so we think) has been general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Kwesi says he’s been too busy to worry about it, but others aren’t, which is why there have been all sorts of questions surrounding why the 3rd year Minnesota Vikings GM remains a lame duck, now into April. This, going on two months since head coach Kevin O’Connell got his big money contract extension.

Should we be reading between the lines on these stalled Vikings + Adofo-Mensah contract talks? On Monday, owner and president Mark Wilf tried to answer those questions as bluntly as he could, reiterating what the organization told reporters back when KOC got his new deal. That Kwesi’s time was coming too.

New details from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah contract with Minnesota Vikings

But a new detail revealed in Kwesi’s current contract may help explain both sides’ lack of urgency to get something done. MN Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling reported in the Star Tribune Monday night — before tweeting out something similar Tuesday afternoon — that the contract Adofo-Mensah signed back in the offseason of 2022 does not expire until after the 2026 NFL Draft.

One note on #Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's contract: While coach contracts typically expire after the season, front office deals run through the NFL draft.

So Adofo-Mensah's deal doesn't actually expire until after the 2026 draft. Still optimism about it getting done this…

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) April 1, 2025

…the duration of his contract gives the Vikings a little more time than they had with O’Connell’s deal. While coaches’ contracts generally expire after the season, GM deals run until after the draft, to provide front office stability through the busiest part of the offseason. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Adofo-Mensah’s contract does not expire until after the 2026 NFL draft.

Ben Goessling – Star Tribune

That means, even without a contract extension, the Minnesota Vikings Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is employed for the most important parts of next offseason, including one more opening round of free agency (2026) and two more draft classes (2025 and 2026).

Whether now or later, Kwesi extension is coming

If you believe the Wilfs (and there’s really no reason not to), then no matter how you feel about Adofo-Mensah as a draft evaluator or trade negotiator, he isn’t going anywhere. This, despite there being major questions surrounding how much of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s decision-making power has been diminished over the course of the past three years.

While both guys were brought in around the same time, their career trajectories over the last three years have been completely different. KOC is fresh off a Coach of the Year victory. He’s also already seen as a QB whisperer, among his football peers, and possibly the brightest young offensive mind in the entire sport.

Related: O’Connell Hints at Major Changes to Minnesota Vikings Offense in 2025

Just the thought of Kevin O’Connell being available at the end of next season forced the Wilfs to make his contract extension first priority this offseason. Steam surrounding KOC’s possible availability back in February got so hot that teams were floating trade ideas to legitimate NFL insiders.

We still don’t know how much Kevin O’Connell is making now, but it’s believed to be over $10 million per year, which puts him top 5 or 10 in the league — AKA: “everybody wishes they had our head coach-type money. I can’t imagine the talks with Kwesi are anywhere near the same ballpark.

Those team executives then take what they learned in Indy and apply it to free agency, just a week or two later. That, of course, means more headlines, as the country’s most popular sport dominates over other leagues that are in-season, including the NBA, NHL and now, MLB.

Top Minnesota Vikings decisionmakers representing at NFL Owners Meetings

On Monday, all National Football League luminaries have once again gathered in the same place. This time, it’s the “Owners Meetings”, in sunny Palm Springs, FL. But don’t let the official title of this week’s event mislead you. It isn’t just NFL owners who are gathered the southeastern tip of the continental United States.

No way. Everybody who is anybody is down in Florida right now, and that includes the owners, general manager and head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, along with all national insiders and local beat reporters. Per usual, when NFL big timers gather together, news is made.

One of the biggest questions that remain unanswered for the MN Vikings this offseason is the status of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The first time GM was brought on prior to the hiring of Kevin O’Connell, who got a contract extension at the very start of this offseason.

Mark Wilf answers Kwesi Adofo-Mensah contract question

At the time, reports said Kwesi’s extension was coming shortly after Kevin’s. Months later, it still hasn’t happened. Thus, when Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf sat down at the owners meetings surrounded by local media, he was asked about the status of Adofo-Mensah’s contract extension talks and his standing in the organization. In short, the extension is coming. When asked if the contract is going to get done, Wilf answered bluntly, “Yes, it is.”

Vikings owner Mark Wilf told beat writers that the team has had "very, very positive" conversations with GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's representation. Wilf on if an extension is something he wants to get done: "Yes, it is."

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 31, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings are 34-17, under the guidance of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Yet, plenty of questions remain surrounding how much of that success can be attributed to him. What’s continued to haunt MN’s soon to be fourth-year GM is the 2022 NFL Draft, where he picked Lewis Cine No. 1 overall.

Only two players from that infamous draft class remain on the Vikings roster — 5th round RB, Ty Chandler and 6th round pick, Jalen Nailor. Theo Jackson, who’s projected to start at free safety in 2025, was drafted in 2022 (6th round)… but not by Minnesota.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Down to Two Options – Wait for Vikings or…

Since that draft, many of the most productive MN Vikings draft picks have been heavily influenced by Kevin O’Connell (Jordan Addison and JJ McCarthy) and Brian Flores (Dallas Turner). Same can be said about the free agents Minnesota has landed the past two offseasons.

Then, there’s the trade chart deficits he created from last offseason’s flurry of trades (which resulted in McCarthy and Turner), not to mention his inability to get 2025 draft capital, in return for Sam Darnold leaving earlier this month. Nonetheless, it appears Minnesota Vikings brass remains bullish on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as an NFL general manager.

Unlike the head coach, who was hired just after he was, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has struggled to prove himself as the young, forward-thinking outsider who could learn how to be an NFL GM on the fly, especially when it comes to the NFL Draft, where since Kwesi took over the Vikings have struggled to find pro talent the way other teams do.

Minnesota Vikings crush free agency again?

Adofo-Mensah’s draft day deficiencies could be what’s holding him back from a contract extension. But then, there’s free agency, where Kwesi’s story as Vikings GM couldn’t be more different than that of the draft. The 2024 MN Vikings free agency class wasn’t just good, it was (Tony Tiger voice) “GREEEEAAAAATTT”.

Both EDGE rusher pickups, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, made the Pro Bowl. Aaron Jones ran for over 1,000 yards, while Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin both played major roles in the Minnesota Vikings secondary. Oh, and then there’s Sam Darnold, who went from 1st round bust to franchise QB, in his one season in purple.

But now, with so much talent on the way out and limited draft capital to work with later in the offseason, the 2025 MN Vikings have no choice but to get their incoming free agent class right again. That’s why, armed with a massive arsenal of cap space, Kwesi & Co quickly and deliberately addressed just about every need Minnesota had on their roster, within the first 5-6 days of free agency.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah added talent on both sides of the ball. He started in the trenches, then moved out from there, fixing running back, linebacker, safety and cornerback. Is there still work to be done?

Yes, but there is still a lot offseason left too. After that initial week of free agency frenzy, there’s way more offseason than there are tasks on that Vikings offseason to-do list we discussed earlier. Count ESPN’s Ben Solak as one NFL analyst who’s impressed.

ESPN loves MN Vikings 2025 free agency class

He ranked the Minnesota Vikings free agency as third-best in the NFL, behind only the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. The only thing he had a qualm with was Jonathan Allen’s price tag, but even he admits that all interior defensive linemen went for more than what he expected.

On the other side of the trenches, Solak loved the Vikings signing of Will Fries, who he had pinned as one of his “top free agent gems”, prior to the league year starting. He did act a bit surprised that Minnesota valued Ryan Kelly over Garrett Bradbury as much as they did, too.

“The investment in the offensive line. Fries was one of my top free agent gems — he’s one of the best players nobody knows about, and he should make a big push for a Pro Bowl spot at guard if he fully recovers from his tibia injury. The need at guard was obvious; the need at center was far more subtle. I thought the Vikings would happily play out another year with Garrett Bradbury at the pivot, surrendering his pass protection issues for his running game value. Instead, they did what true contenders do and tried to upgrade not just at the needy positions, but also the average ones. I’m not sure it will work — Kelly (31) is older than Bradbury (29) — but it’s a good risk to take.”

ESPN

It’s hard to look at how Minnesota was able to supplement their roster and not see a better overall team on the field in 2025. Of course, an improvement on 14 wins is difficult and switching quarterbacks will put even the best roster in flux.

Free agency positions MN Vikings well in NFL Draft

For a franchise that has seen poor drafts under the tenure of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, this one has to feel like a breath of fresh air. The reality is that there isn’t a glaring need for the Minnesota Vikings. They truly could take they best player available with their 24th overall selection.

Related: Former Vikings WR Finds a New Home

There’s also the possibility, and potential preference, that Minnesota simply trades back and stacks capital. They picked up a third round pick thanks to the departure of Kirk Cousins. They could parlay their first round selection into a second and more that would give them additional chances to add talent.

The Vikings have seen contributors come from different places in the draft. New starting safety Theo Jackson was once a sixth round pick. If Adofo-Mensah is content with the depth of the class, and the assessment of talent, then picking up more bullets makes a ton of sense.

Minnesota isn’t always going to have a ton of room under the salary cap. That requires more young players developing into starters and role players. The more prospects you get right, the more likely that is to happen.

That’s when teams “agree to terms” with most of the top free agents, before contracts are made official when the new league years starts, which was yesterday. The Minnesota Vikings got off to a bit of a slow start on Monday morning, when the opening bell sounded.

But by that evening, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings front office had hit the ground running, and never looked back. Forty-eight hours later, they had fixed the o-line, d-line and sured up special teams. Plus, Harrison Smith announced he is returning for another season too.

Of course, with the draft still five weeks away, there is still plenty of work to be done between now and Training Camp. That said, the Minnesota Vikings 2025 offseason is off to a blazing start, and those around the league have taken notice.

ESPN NFL Analyst crowns Vikings as winners of the NFL offseason

One year after signing unarguably the best free agency class in Minnesota Vikings history, with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman and Aaron Jones, ESPN Insider Ben Solak has already crowned the Vikings as the victors of 2025 free agency, as well.

“I think the Vikings are the winners of the free agent period. They double-dipped at defensive tackle with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, and they need just one of the two aging interior pass rushers to hit for them at one of the lone positions of weakness on the defense last season. Star corner Byron Murphy Jr. returns to the outside, and veteran running back Aaron Jones returns on offense.”

ESPN

Above, Solak highlights some of the best moves Minnesota has made during free agency. What’s crazy: He didn’t even have enough room to mention the additions along the offensive line, which were probably the most heralding of the past few days.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025

Last season the Vikings’ interior offensive line was a serious problem. The running game suffered, and that’s where Sam Darnold faced the most pressure. Ryan Kelly joins the team, to replace (we think?) Garrett Bradbury. They also got his Colts teammate, and the best guard available in this class, Will Fries.

The Vikings have invested a ton of money in the trenches, and that allows the team as a whole to benefit from there. They still need a quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy, and depth elsewhere is necessary, but the best foot has already been put forward.

What’s left for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason?

There is still cap space available for the Minnesota Vikings. They will have opportunity to add depth pieces in free agency. They still hold just four draft picks, and one they just got Wednesday, as a compensation pick for losing their Kirk Cousins last offseason.

The #Vikings have been awarded a 3rd-round compensatory pick (#97 overall).

The team now holds four picks in this year's draft.

📰: https://t.co/rhkpAXIeGa pic.twitter.com/pqXiO387VW

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 12, 2025

Speaking of quarterbacks, the Vikings still need one to pair with J.J. McCarthy, who’s currently the only QB on roster. Yes, Aaron Jones is returning, but the Minnesota Vikings have made it clear they want more talent in the backfield, and less workload for Jones.

Related: Kirk Cousins Leaving Finally Pays Off for Vikings

Beyond QB and RB, the Vikings still need help in the secondary and could add depth in the linebacker room. No matter what, Kevin O’Connell’s team seems well-positioned to get better this offseason, and that was no guarantee for a team expected to lose much of its secondary and its MVP caliber QB from the season before.