To say not having a permanent GM is unusual is putting it mildly
Once the Minnesota Vikings dismissed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah while he was scouting players at the Senior Bowl, a crop of endless questions popped up. Why now? What is the reasoning? Who is the replacement?
The final question was the most important, considering the Senior Bowl is one phase of the draft process before the NFL Scouting Combine. The Vikings opted to elevate Rob Brzezinski to interim GM and have him oversee the draft and name a permanent replacement after the draft.
The process is either unprecedented or it is the second time ever for something like this. Nonetheless, this is the plan for the Vikings, who hold the 18th pick in the draft.
The question is: will this hamper the Vikings' draft plan, and would a replacement be on board with this plan that he wasn't part of?
Vikings beat reporter and ESPN writer Kevin Seifert tackled this question.
How will the GM-less draft work for the Vikings? Who is making the calls?
Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, elevated by owners Zygi and Mark Wilf after the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, said this spring that he has the authority to break ties and/or make final draft decisions. It is a highly unusual arrangement, but Brzezinski said he hopes to engender "complete and total collaboration" between the coaching and scouting staffs. Coach Kevin O'Connell will have significant influence, but the Vikings were team-building from a coaching-centric perspective for much of Adofo-Mensah's tenure.
There have been whispers that Adofo-Mensah was unable to align with the coaching staff and organization on a clear direction for team building, which ultimately led to his firing. At this point, the reason for the move isn't as important as the solution.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller outlined the direction of Minnesota's pick at number 18 with some intel, and the answer should come as no shock to any person who has opened a mock draft during draft season.
What we're hearing about the Vikings' draft: Safety Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) is the most mocked player to Minnesota, and for good reason. Word is the front office views him as a seamless replacement for veteran Harrison Smith. The Vikings must hit at a higher rate on Day 2 picks, and with that in mind, I've heard the team will target players with higher college production over potential or traits.
Two things are certain for the Vikings. Chaos and Theineman, no matter what, at pick 18. Happy draft season!