The Minnesota Vikings are conducting a full general manager search, but head coach Kevin O’Connell may retain the lion’s share of power within the organization, or so goes the latest theory from ESPN.

Minnesota’s next structure may reveal how much authority O’Connell truly holds after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s exit.

Minnesota fired O’Connell’s boss, Adofo-Mensah, in late January, curiously keeping the skipper aboard when most NFL teams fire a general manager and head coach in unison.

A Different Front Office Model Could Be Coming

Perhaps the almighty power will rest with O’Connell?

ESPN on O’Connell’s Role in GM Search

Kevin Seifert updated Minnesota’s GM search this week, noting, “Everything known about their search indicates they envision a first-time general manager pairing with an existing staff. Even if they ultimately choose Brzezinski — the only known candidate without a classic scouting background — the structure would preserve much of the current scouting department.

“It also wouldn’t infringe on the power O’Connell and his staff accumulated during Adofo-Mensah’s tenure and while Brzezinski served as interim general manager.”

For the entire offseason, O’Connell has felt like he’s front and center as the decision-maker, the sun of the purple solar system.

Seifert added, “Some NFL sources believe that is a likely outcome from a practical sense, even if it is not documented in contract language. After what was clearly a coach-centric approach to the draft last month, could the next general manager recoup that influence?”

“The Wilfs don’t often speak publicly, but their words — and, importantly, their actions — have not made a secret of their plans.”

The Last 3.5 Months Should Be Evidence

Don’t believe the ESPN theory about O’Connell’s increased power? All you need to do is get with the program and observe the Vikings’ operations since early February.

O’Connell has been front and center for, well, everything, speaking as the decision-maker and single voice regarding the team’s direction. He may not have Bill Belichick-style power from the New England Days or rule the roost like Bill Parcells often did on his watch, but consider O’Connell as a junior version of that.

When a general manager gets fired, and the head coach does not, it’s quite the endorsement for the head coach. Thereafter, allowing O’Connell to run point guard for the franchise’s offseason is just too much of a smoking gun to ignore.

Bleacher Report‘s Julia Stumbaugh noted on the current setup: ‘Some people around the NFL feel Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will ultimately gain more authority over his team following the dismissal of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Brzezinski said heading into the draft that he had “really good synergy” with O’Connell heading into the draft, and that there would be ‘alignment on both sides’ between the front office and coaching staff.”

“O’Connell and chief operating officer Andrew Miller are two members of the advisory committee supporting the Vikings’ third-party GM search, per Seifert. How these candidates fit in alongside Brzezinski, O’Connell and Flores in the team’s leadership structure could impact the likelihood the Vikings ultimately go outside of the organization to replace Adofo-Mensah.”

The First to Get an Extension in 2025

Another item to consider: the Vikings’ 2025 offseason timeline. Fresh off a brutal loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs — where former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold played like a damn fool — rumors swirled about when Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell would get contract extensions. They felt inevitable after a 14-3 season.

The priority? O’Connell. Of course it was. Minnesota’s owners wrapped up their golden boy soon after the playoff splatter, leaving Adofo-Mensah’s now-ill-fated extension for a rainy day, which turned out to be five months later.

As of late at Vikings headquarters, the pecking order has just felt like O’Connell and then a top-down flow to the rest.

A Very Custom Power Structure?

The Vikings may create a power structure that is unique to them and to their liking. O’Connell will obviously be the head coach. Rob Brzezinski probably won’t be kicked out. The team may hire a “new guy” to be the general manager. In reality, though, that man may be just another voice in the room.

For example, it would not be shocking to see the Vikings form something like this:

• Owners: The Wilfs
• Team CEO | Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell
• President of Operations: Rob Brzezinski
• General Manager of College Scouting: The New Guy

Those are just generic examples of the possible titles, but always remember that the Vikings had no problem operating with a “triangle of authority” leadership structure from 2006 to 2012. The Wilfs don’t mind a very customized front-office structure.

It’s probably on the way again.