Minnesota begins the search for a GM.
The Minnesota Vikings have requested their first candidate for the vacant general manager position following the dismissal of the previous GM at the Senior Bowl and the NFL draft being run by executive VP Rob Brzezinski, who is also a candidate. The team will conduct their interview run before deciding whether Brzezinski will assume the role full-time or an external candidate will be hired.
The Vikings requested an interview with Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray for their GM job, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday.
Gray has Minnesota roots after 11 seasons as an area scout for the Vikings. The former Chiefs front office member has been with Buffalo since 2017, which means he was part of the group that identified Josh Allen. That draft pick has worked out pretty well, right?
I've been vocal and critical of the Vikings' process after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and wondered if an in-house candidate would be better suited for the job since they had a hand in the incoming draft class and the process. That could mean Brzezinski, but perhaps there is someone in the building already who is qualified.
Gray wasn't in the building with Minnesota, but being the first candidate requested is telling, and the organization could be leaning towards someone who is familiar with the building and operations.
Any candidate who takes the job will get the first year "off," as who could blame a GM for a draft class that he didn't draft, but inherited? The team, as constructed, is under pressure after a disappointing 2025 season. This roster needs to win and make a playoff run.
The second year will be when the evaluation of the general manager begins. The coaching staff in place is a dream to inherit. Head coach Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores are as good as there is in the NFL as a duo. Signing Kyler Murray pushed the urgency into overdrive after J.J. McCarthy struggled on the field and with staying healthy.
Still, the Vikings won nine games, which means the team is close and even with a small amount of good luck could see instant returns and a double digit win season in a very competitive NFC North. Chicago and Green Bay are set for the future. Minnesota needs to first catch up to them as far as a plan moving forward goes.
First goal after finding a permanent GM? Fixing the quarterback position for the future.