According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, there were three core factors behind the dismissal. First was Adofo-Mensah’s NFL draft track record, which included multiple misses in the first and second rounds. Russini noted that only one of the 10 picks from his first draft became a full-time starter, and only two remained with the Vikings, despite some players such as Will Reichard, Jordan Addison and Dallas Turner achieving NFL quality contributions.
Second, the Vikings’ March free-agent period was viewed unfavorably in hindsight. The team spent heavily on aging veterans — including Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and Ryan Kelly — and the offensive line regressed in 2025 despite those investments, with Kelly, Will Fries, and a first-round pick Donovan Jackson not meeting expectations.
Third, Adofo-Mensah’s quarterback decisions were cited as a major issue. The Vikings reportedly did not sign Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers in the offseason; instead, they added Sam Howell, who struggled in camp and was later traded. The report notes Rodgers had shown interest in Minnesota, but did not join the team.
Rob Brzezinski will assume leadership through the 2025 NFL Draft while the organization conducts a search for a long-term replacement. Vikings owner Mark Wilf said there was no single reason for the decision, framing it instead as a culmination of factors discussed by Russini.
