The Vikings’ Front Office and The Name to Circle in the GM Search

The top spot within the Vikings’ front office remains unfilled. Soon enough, that’s going to change. Jonathan Jones of CBS was the first person on the news about the five finalists: Rob Brzezinski, Reed Burkhardt, Terrance Gray, John McKay, and Nolan Teasley.

Many appear to believe that Rob Brzezinski is going to land the job, making a small leap from being the short-term GM to the full-time GM. Others foresee a reunion with former talent. Ben Leber, for instance, took to social media to express his belief that Brzezinski, Gray, and Burkhardt are “are the front runners.” Quite possibly, Leber will be proven correct, but allow me to insist on a different name to watch: Nolan Teasley of the Seattle Seahawks.

The Vikings’ Front Office: Watch for SEA’s Nolan Teasley

Recently, the Seattle Seahawks have eviscerated the Minnesota Vikings. Going back to the Week 13 shellacking at Lumen Field offers a concrete example to how the NFC West franchise has completely lapped the NFC North franchise.

Everybody will begin with Sam Darnold. And, to be sure, there’s good reason to start there since he proved capable of being a long-term QB1 who can lead a team to the Super Bowl. Allowing him to walk away looks like lunacy a year after the decision to roll with J.J. McCarthy.

More broadly, there’s a remarkably different track record for roster building. Shrinking things down to just the draft clarifies how the Seahawks are way ahead of the Vikings. Where would Seattle have been without the help from RB Kenneth Walker III, CB Devon Witherspoon, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and so many others? Nowhere near the Lombardi, that’s for sure.

Now, some critics will point toward these picks as being simple. Fine, that’s true in some cases, but the Kyle Hamilton pick was simple in 2022 and didn’t get made. Sometimes, folks, smart football people don’t make smart football choices. Having a decision maker who can hit layups is massively important.

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.

A fascinating byproduct of the sizzling drafting is that Seattle’s finances are in a healthy position. Darnold is chewing up $37.9 million on the cap but the Seahawks still have north of $32 million in open cap space (OTC). Wild, right? Mostly due to drafting so well, the Seahawks can pay a veteran passer, win a Super Bowl, position themselves to compete in the upcoming season, retain top in-house talent via extensions, and still have cap space.

Nolan Teasley has been part of the mix for these Seahawks, giving him an obvious appeal.

Consider what the Seattle team website says about the executive’s background: “Nolan Teasley, who participated in the NFL’s Accelerator Program in May of 2026, is in his 14th season with the Seahawks, fourth as assistant general manager, following five seasons as director of pro personnel (2018-22), one season as assistant director of pro personnel (2017) and three seasons as a pro personnel scout (2014-16). He originally joined the Seahawks in 2013 as an intern in the team’s scouting department. Within his role, Teasley oversees football operations while working collaboratively with President of Football Operations/General Manager John Schneider in all aspects of player acquisition via the draft, free agency and trade proposals.”

Much to be impressed with in those sentences. Make note of a detail that could be overlooked: Nolan Teasley has gone from intern to being a very powerful NFL executive. He didn’t get handed his position but, rather, worked his way up through promotions. He did so from within years where the Seahawks have been an excellent football team, made evident in the three Super Bowl appearances (2013, 2014, 2025) and Super Bowl wins (2013, 2025).

TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. August 3rd, 2023. The Vikings kicked off the annual night practice in front of a packed house, preparing to defend the NFC North title. Minnesota hasn’t won back-to-back NFC North crowns since 2008 and 2009.

Other details that are worth considering.

When Minnesota needed short-term help to work through February, March, and April, the Vikings brought long-time Seahawks executive Matt Thomas to town to help. Presumably, Minnesota is in a good spot to get some firsthand insight about Nolan Teasley since there’s a strong relationship with Thomas.

Consider, as well, that Rob Brzezinski uplifted Seattle’s front office in February, praising John Schneider’s “superpower” of being able to “[bring] people together” to effectuate “a shared vision.” Maybe hiring Schneider’s right-hand man makes some sense.

The Vikings’ front office will have a new GM in a matter of days or weeks, not months. Seeing the position go to Nolan Teasley won’t be at all surprising.