INDIANAPOLIS — There has been some gray area surrounding the Vikings ever since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out of nowhere.
This is a photo of Rob Brzezinski of the Minnesota Vikings NFL football team. This image reflects the Minnesota Vikings active roster as of Friday, June 16, 2023. (AP Photo)
Never mind that it was announced last month that Rob Brzezinski would serve as the acting general manager on a temporary basis through the 2026 NFL Draft before a permanent hire is made. It wasn’t clear if he was simply operating as a figurehead for the organization while Kevin O’Connell operated in the shadows.
There was some clarity provided on Tuesday afternoon inside the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. As much as the Vikings plan to be collaborative in their approach over the next couple of months, Brzezinski relented that the Wilfs have given him final say over O’Connell if push comes to shove.
“Obviously we have to have protocol in place,” Brzezinski said. “The owners have asked me to handle that responsibility.”
As soon as he clarified the structure the Vikings have in place, Brzezinski emphasized that he will work in concert with O’Connell, ensuring that everybody is on the same page heading into a pivotal stretch that could define the organization for the foreseeable future.
“We’re going to work very, very closely together to make sure that the personnel staff and the coaching staff are aligned,” Brzezinski said. “We’re just going to stack decisions here in this time period.”
That response perfectly encapsulates why the Wilfs have entrusted Brzezinski to navigate the current situation. Not only has he been a longstanding member of the Vikings since 1999, serving in a number of different roles in that span, he has long been somebody whose superpower is getting everybody to pull on the same rope.
“He’s unbelievable with people,” O’Connell said. “He knows how to connect people and bring out the best in people. That’s what we need right now. That’s what Rob has brought and will continue to bring.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The ability to build consensus will serve as a compass for Brzezinski over the next couple of months as the Vikings work through a number of important items on their checklist.
Though the most pressing issue is finding another quarterback to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, there’s also the hurdle of getting the Vikings under the salary cap and putting together the big board ahead of the draft.
All of it will require Brzezinski to lead with a combination of conviction and grace.
“It’s been about getting everybody aligned and on the same page,” Brzezinski said. “A really important thing is for everybody to be themselves and be able to constructively challenge each other.”
It was hard to ignore the fact that Brzezinski acted and sounded like a general manager during the 30 minutes he chatted with reporters. Asked if he’d like to be considered as a candidate for whenever the Wilfs make the permanent hire, Brzezinski also struck the right tone, replying, “I can say that right now that I’m focused on the next couple of months.”
Meanwhile, O’Connell seemed to go to bat for Brzezinski on multiple occasions, which has to matter to some degree. Asked what has stood out about Brzezinski in their time working together, O’Connell heaped praise on the experience he brings to the table, replying, “He has been through situations where he can recall those experiences and really provide guidance.”
If anything is clear about Brzezinski beyond his resume, it’s how deeply he cares about the organization as a whole. He has built a life in Minnesota over the past few decades. He would love nothing more than to be the person that helped the Vikings get over the hump.
“There is a special connection here,” Brzezinski said. “Our fans deserve to see this organization raise the Lombardi Trophy.”
Not that he’s putting too much pressure on himself as the person suddenly calling the shots.
“We can’t manufacture or force what’s not there because that’s when we’ll make a mistake,” Brzezinski said. “We’re going to do everything we can over the next couple of months to make sure the Vikings are going in the right direction to attain our ultimate goal.”
The Minnesota Vikings’ brain trust, photographed at Vikings headquarters in Eden Prairie on Oct. 28, 2003, includes, from left, Rob Brzezinski, vice president of football operations, Scott Studwell, director of college scouting, Mike Tice, head coach, and Paul Wiggin, director of pro scouting. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press)
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