GM Nolan Teasley Pulls Next Lever, Snags “Key Cog”

Minnesota Vikings

GM Nolan Teasley has been hard at work. Any leader needs a good ecosystem of support. Minnesota’s top executive has therefore been working to fortify his helpers.

Check out the update from Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune for what’s taking place in Minnesota’s front office. The update: “The #Vikings are hiring former Bears GM Ryan Pace as a football advisor for new GM Nolan Teasley, and they’re adding Seahawks scout Azzaam Kapadia as assistant director of pro scouting.”



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Plenty of chatter is circulating online about the news. After all, Pace used to be the GM for the Bears, so people are noticing.

Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network offered his two cents: “The #Vikings will get valuable experience from Ryan Pace, the former #Bears GM. And Kapadia was another key cog in the #Seahawks machine, having most recently served as a pro scout in 2025.”

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With Kapadia, Thor Nystrom passes along some good insight. Minnesota hired a worker: “He’s a film junky — described as curious, and no-stone-left-unturned thorough. Clearly respected by Teasley/Kirchner, the Nos. 2/3 in Seattle’s FO during his brief tenure.”

Dec 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A fan holds up a sign in the fourth quarter in a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Scouting is a grind of a profession. Nobody will find success in this area of football unless there’s a willingness to spend a ton of time chewing up game film. Kapadia has found a way to stand out among a group of people known for their dedication.

On Pace, there are at least a few things to know.

For starters, he failed as the Chicago Bears’ GM. His overall record on the job finished off at 48-65. Twice did Pace’s Bears venture into the playoffs; twice did Pace’s Bears get bounced in the Wild Card Round. Chicago only surpassed .500 a single time when Pace was in charge.

Don’t be surprised if Bears fans in your friend group don’t have kind things to say about Pace. Quite possibly, he’s best known for drafting Mitchell Trubisky at No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Patrick Mahomes went at No. 10. Missing on Christian McCaffrey, chosen at No. 8 in the same draft, also stings.

Nov 18, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports.

Under GM Nolan Teasley, the Vikings have been making moves in the front office. Several people have been shown the door and still others have been hired. Before too long, the leadership group will be in place, allowed to move forward into the 2026 regular season.

Training camp gets going soon enough.


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