The Minnesota Vikings are at a pivotal moment in their offseason, with contract talks, Olympic aspirations, and NFL rule changes dominating the conversation. On this episode of Two Old Bloggers, host Dave Stefano takes the mic solo, filling in for Darren Campbell, who’s navigating the long roads of the Northwest Territories back to Yellowknife. From the delay in extending General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s contract to Justin Jefferson’s flag football dreams, this episode is packed with Vikings news and NFL insights. Let’s break down the key themes and updates that have Vikings fans buzzing.

Why the Wait for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Extension?

The central question of this episode revolves around Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings’ General Manager, whose contract extension remains unsigned despite his impressive track record. Hired before head coach Kevin O’Connell, Adofo-Mensah has a 34-17 record as GM, leading the team to the playoffs twice in three years. Yet, while O’Connell secured a $65 million extension in January 2021, Adofo-Mensah’s deal is still pending.

Dave Stefano highlights the curiosity surrounding this delay: “Kwesi was hired before Kevin O’Connell was and selected him as his head coach, making the delay, at least to Darren, seem a little bit unusual, but is it?”
In March, Adofo-Mensah downplayed concerns, focusing on his work during the draft and free agency. Vikings owner Mark Wilf expressed optimism, stating the team’s efforts have been “very, very positive” and an extension would be finalized “soon.” However, as Stefano quips, “Can we define soon, Mark?”

According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, Adofo-Mensah’s contract extends through the 2026 draft, typical for GMs whose deals often outlast coaches’ contracts, which end after the league year. This raises the question: Is Adofo-Mensah comfortable operating in a potential “lame duck” year? Stefano ponders:

“Do you think if he still hasn’t gotten his extension by the end of the season, that he’s gonna give it all he has for the draft, knowing that he’s probably gonna be let go because something went terribly wrong this year?”

Achievements and Challenges

Adofo-Mensah’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements. He avoided a complete roster teardown, maintaining a competitive team despite an expensive, aging roster inherited from Rick Spielman. His first year saw a 13-4 record and a playoff berth, proving the issues lay with Spielman and former coach Mike Zimmer. He addressed the quarterback position by moving on from Kirk Cousins and drafting J.J. McCarthy, a potential franchise cornerstone. Additionally, he’s managed the salary cap adeptly, navigating dead money from Spielman’s era and securing key free agents.

Fan reactions, as noted by Stefano, reflect mixed sentiments. Viewer “Delton” praises Adofo-Mensah for letting Cousins walk, while “Norsepheus” argues this move alone warrants an extension. However, his draft record, particularly the 2022 class, is a sticking point. High-profile misses like Lewis Cine (now with the Eagles’ practice squad) and Andrew Booth Jr. (with the Cowboys) have drawn criticism.

Stefano acknowledges: “That 2022 draft was a miserable failure. I admit it, I think most everybody does at this point.” Yet, Adofo-Mensah’s free agency and trade moves have been stellar. Acquisitions like TJ Hockenson, Ivan Pace Jr., and this year’s class, including Aaron Jones and Jonathan Greenard, showcase his ability to build through multiple avenues. Stefano notes: “Success lies in his free agent signings… last year’s free agent class with Greenard and Gink and the whole crew was outstanding.”

What’s Holding It Up?

The delay could stem from contract language, as viewer “Brian” suggests: “The holdup is the language in the contract. Some part of the, with incentives links and guarantees.” Stefano agrees, speculating that escalators, such as bonuses for a Super Bowl win, might be under negotiation. With lawyers and agents involved, the process is meticulous.

Despite the delay, Stefano is optimistic: “Do I suspect they will? Yes. And do I suspect it’ll come in a dead news period? Yes, I do because it keeps the Vikings in on the front page of the NFL media.”

Darren Campbell, via his notes, expects the extension before training camp, likely during a quiet week to maximize publicity. For now, Adofo-Mensah’s future remains a hot topic, with fans and analysts eagerly awaiting resolution.

Vikings’ Joint Practices and J.J. McCarthy vs. Drake Maye

Shifting gears, Stefano dives into the Vikings’ offseason preparations, particularly their joint practices with the New England Patriots ahead of their August 16, 2025, preseason matchup. These sessions, a staple under Kevin O’Connell, allow starters to compete in controlled environments, minimizing injury risks compared to preseason games.

The spotlight will be on rookie quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and the Patriots’ Drake Maye. Reports suggest O’Connell was enamored with Maye, nearly trading significant assets to draft him. Stefano muses: “KOC fell in love with Drake Maye… I think we probably got the better quarterback, but we will see.”

The Patriots, coming off a 4-13 season, have bolstered their offensive line to protect Maye and signed Stefon Diggs, though his participation is uncertain due to a recovering ACL injury. Stefano speculates Diggs might travel to reconnect with former teammates but is unlikely to play. The joint practices will offer a glimpse into McCarthy’s progress and how he stacks up against Maye, setting the stage for an exciting quarterback duel.

NFL Rule Changes and Olympic Flag Football

The NFL owners’ meetings, held at the Omni Hotel in Eagan, brought significant updates. A unanimous 32-0 vote approved NFL players competing in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a move championed by Vikings star Justin Jefferson, the global flag football ambassador. Jefferson, present at the meetings, expressed his dream of winning a gold medal, a goal now within reach at age 29. Stefano shares his enthusiasm: “I fully expect J.J. to be on there and it’s going to be fun to watch. It’ll make the Olympics fun to watch at least part of it.”

However, the NFL stipulated that only one player per team can participate to mitigate injury risks. Stefano highlights the concern: “What happens if you get that season-ending injury, blown ACL playing flag football in June or July… and oh, no, Justin Jefferson just blew out his knee?”

The flag football community cautions that NFL players, despite their athleticism, may struggle against seasoned players familiar with the sport’s nuances. Stefano counters: “NFL athletes, I think, are the best in the world, period. They’re bigger, they’re faster, they’re stronger… if you learn these new rules and how to play, I think they would dominate.”

Tush Push and Onside Kick Updates

The owners also debated banning the “tush push,” the Philadelphia Eagles’ highly effective quarterback sneak play. Despite complaints from teams like the Green Bay Packers, the proposal fell short, with a 22-10 vote (ironically matching the Eagles’ playoff win over the Packers). The play remains legal for 2025, prompting Stefano to suggest: “Put some big round bellies on a defensive line that can’t be moved no matter what you push at ‘em and defeat it.”

The onside kick rule was updated, allowing teams to declare an onside kick attempt from the 34-yard line when trailing. Additionally, kickoff rules now place the ball at the 35-yard line if kicked through the end zone, aiming to encourage more returns. Stefano reflects on the evolving game:

“Football is cyclic… The defense is gonna have to get bigger again to stop it.”

Playoff Reseeding and Division Debates

A playoff reseeding proposal, submitted by Detroit on behalf of the Vikings, was withdrawn for further evaluation. The proposal aims to address scenarios where division winners with weaker records host playoff games over teams with better records. Stefano, a traditionalist, values the division structure: “Division should mean something. You win the division, you host a game.”

However, he acknowledges the fairness debate, especially with an 18-game season looming. Viewer “Anthony” argues that winning a division should guarantee a playoff berth but not a home game, sparking discussion. Stefano poses a hypothetical: “What if you win the division at eight and nine, and yet there are six teams above you with a better record? Would you give it to those teams?”

The NFL’s plan to run simulations ensures a data-driven approach, but Stefano worries about losing division rivalries: “I like being part of the same division. I like to hate one team in the division and tolerate the other two.”

PFF’s 25-Year Best Team and Vikings Snubs

Finally, Pro Football Focus named its best players of the last 25 years, with only one Viking, Antoine Winfield, making the cut. Winfield’s 94.5 overall grade, 92.3 coverage grade, and 94.7 run defense grade earned him the honor. Stefano raves:

“He was a beast. An absolute beast… known for being the best pound-for-pound tackler in the NFL.”
Notably, Vikings legends like Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson were overlooked, a decision Stefano attributes to PFF’s scoring methodology. Winfield, a three-time Pro Bowler from 2004-2012, remains a fan favorite, though his Hall of Fame chances are slim. Stefano hopes:

“Hopefully one day he joins the Ring of Honor, but we’ll see.”

Fan Engagement and Memorial Day Wishes

Throughout the episode, Stefano engages with fans, from “Delton” questioning the Vikings’ 8.5 win total to “Mateo” praising Winfield. The community’s passion shines through, with Stefano encouraging interaction:

“Keep sending any questions you have in the comments. I’ll look at ‘em this week. I love hearing from everybody.”
As the episode wraps, Stefano reflects on Memorial Day, urging fans to stay safe and honor veterans:

“If you have some friends that are not here because of Memorial Day… drink one for ‘em. They would enjoy that, but they’d enjoy more that you have a great time this weekend.”

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Looking Ahead

This episode of Two Old Bloggers encapsulates the Vikings’ offseason dynamics, from Adofo-Mensah’s contract saga to Jefferson’s Olympic dreams and NFL rule changes. With joint practices, rookie quarterback battles, and playoff debates on the horizon, the Vikings remain a focal point in the NFL landscape. As Stefano signs off, he invites fans to stay connected: “Follow us on social media, Vikings 1st & SKOL… SKOL, everybody!”

For Vikings fans, the anticipation builds as OTAs kick off and training camp looms. Will Adofo-Mensah secure his extension? Can McCarthy outshine Maye? And will Jefferson bring home Olympic gold? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the Vikings are poised for an exciting 2025 season.

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