The Vikings continue retooling their front office and coaching staff, moves that could shape how they approach the draft and free agency.
The Minnesota Vikings continue to shuffle their front office and coaching staff this offseason.
Last week, the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons. Owner Mark Wilf announced that the team would move forward with Rob Brzezinski leading football operations. Brzezinski has been with the team since 1999.
On Thursday, the team announced that it had hired Matt Thomas as a consultant to help guide operations through the draft in April.
Matt Thomas
Thomas previously spent 11 seasons in the Seattle Seahawks' front office from 2013 through 2024, helping them win the Super Bowl in his first season. He primarily oversaw the team's salary cap and contract negotiations.
Before that, Thomas was with the Cleveland Browns from 2010 to 2012 and the Miami Dolphins from 1998 through 2009. His time in Miami overlapped with Brzezinski's final year with the Dolphins (1993-1998).
It's hard to find much background on Thomas. Michael-Shaun Dugar provided the best behind-the-scenes information about him in The Athletic back in 2019.
What's interesting about the hire is that Brzezinski has spent most of his time in Minnesota handling the salary cap. At first glance, Thomas' expertise appears to mirror Brzezinski's.
However, if Brzezinski is indeed auditioning for an official general manager role following the draft, maybe Thomas is taking over his old role. It also never hurts to get another set of eyes on the books, especially when one man has primarily handled them for almost three decades.
Right now, the Vikings sit $40,156,353 over the salary cap. Fortunately, the structure of many deals allows them the flexibility to move off several contracts, which would make them cap-compliant.
They could also restructure several contracts to free up money in the short term. Known for his no-nonsense negotiating tactics, Thomas could be vital in helping the team recoup money to spend on the 2026 offseason. The fact that he doesn't have any previous ties with current players helps as well.
Vikings TE coach is leaving
The Vikings also have to find a new tight ends coach. Brian Angelichio, who served as the team's tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, is joining Mike McCarthy's staff as the Steelers' offensive coordinator.
Angelichio joined Minnesota's staff when Kevin O'Connell was hired in 2022. In addition to coaching tight ends, Angelichio also served as the team's passing game coordinator.
The move makes sense for him, though. Angelichio worked under McCarthy in Green Bay from 2016 to 2018, coaching tight ends during that time.
That makes Angelichio the second O'Connell assistant to get an offensive coordinator job in two seasons. Grant Udinski, who was on the Vikings' staff from 2022 through 2024, was hired as the Jaguars' offensive coordinator last year. He received head-coaching interviews last month, though it appears he will stay in Jacksonville.
After weeks of little movement, the Vikings are finally retooling their front office — decisions that will directly shape their approach to free agency and the draft as they try to return to playoff contention in 2026.