Full Breakdown
Vikings Advance GM Search with Second-Round Interviews of Five Candidates
5/21/2026, 5:11:29 AM
Core Development: Second Interviews Initiated
On Tuesday, Vikings owner Mark Wilf announced that the franchise is moving to a second round of interviews for its vacant general-manager position. The organization has identified five candidates for in-person meetings: Rob Brzezinski, Reed Burckhardt, Terrance Gray, John McKay and Nolan Teasley. The timing of the next interviews has not been disclosed, and the Chargers’ assistant GM Chad Alexander declined an interview request.
Background: Interim Leadership After Ado-Mensah’s Dismissal
The vacancy arose after the Vikings dismissed general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has served as interim general manager since that dismissal. The organization’s deliberate pace has been noted by observers, with the front office waiting until after the January dismissal to begin a systematic evaluation of external candidates. The first round also featured 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Titans assistant GM Dave Ziegler and Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, showing a league-wide search. The team’s search has progressed slowly, narrowing to the current five.
Candidate Pool: Profiles of the Five Contenders
- Rob Brzezinski – Executive vice president of football operations and interim GM, overseeing daily football-operations decisions since January.
- Reed Burckhardt – Assistant general manager of the Denver Broncos; previously spent 13 years with Minnesota in scouting and personnel roles before joining Denver in 2025.
- Terrance Gray – Assistant general manager of the Buffalo Bills.
- John McKay – Assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Rams; promoted in 2025 after four years as director of pro scouting and a tenure working with Les Snead.
- Nolan Teasley – Assistant general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.
Official Statements & Responses
Mark Wilf’s public comment emphasized the franchise’s readiness to “move on to a second round of General Manager interviews,” signaling that the organization is prepared to conclude the search promptly. The Vikings also contacted the Chargers, but assistant GM Chad Alexander declined, underscoring the competitive nature of the search. Brzezinski remains a likely favorite among staff, according to sources. The Vikings have not issued a formal press release naming the candidates, and the list has been reported through league sources and leaked media outlets.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While multiple outlets confirm the five-candidate shortlist, the Vikings have not released an official roster, leaving the precise composition of the interview pool unverified. Additionally, the schedule for the second-round meetings remains unspecified, and no timeline for a final hiring decision has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think Reed’s going to be a future general manager,” — Rick Spielman, former Vikings general manager
What’s Next
The Vikings intend to conduct in-person interviews with the five candidates in the coming weeks. Following those meetings, the organization is expected to make a hiring decision before the start of the 2026 NFL season, though an exact date has not been announced.
