Vikings Owner Suggests 2024 Could be ‘Prove It’ Season for Current Regime

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were hired by the Minnesota Vikings over two years ago. They were tasked with injecting a brand new, fresh feel into the franchise.

At the time, the Wilf family wanted something completely different from what they had in Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer. They certainly found that. Now, the Vikings are known as one of the most player-friendly organizations in the NFL. One that is always on the cutting edge of everything “new school”.

But heading into their third season leading football operations, it’s still TBD how much they’ve lived up to other expectations. A lot is yet to be proven on player development, and most importantly, winning. Today, we found out that’s exactly how the Wilfs feel too.

No extension plans for Kevin O’Connell or Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

On Tuesday, Vikings president and partner, Mark Wilf, told reporters that the team is not currently in contract extension talks with either KOC or Kwesi. Nor will they be anytime soon. He noted that it’s a big year for both men, each of which has two seasons remaining on his respective contract.

Vikings owner Mark Wilf made it clear that they are not talking extensions for the brass yet. Reiterated that they have high expectations for this season

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) August 6, 2024

Mark Wilf says the Vikings haven’t and won’t have conversations about contract extensions with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah or coach Kevin O’Connell before the end of this season. Both are entering year 3 of 4-year deals.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 6, 2024

Why are the Wilfs not interested in talking contract extensions with Kevin O’Connell or Kwesi Adofo-Mensah? Because they are focused on the 2024 season, which really only means one thing. Both guys still have more to prove.

Related: Vikings Insider Projects Undrafted Rookie as Surefire 53-Man Roster Candidate

If Mark and the boys were convinced that this current regime was “the one”, then they would be re-upping them now. There would be no reason to wait. And it would make sense, given they just drafted a rookie QB the highest in franchise history. Why not lock in the GM/HC duo that picked him No. 10 overall?

KOC, Kwesi must prove Minnesota Vikings are on correct path

What I read above was (essentially): ‘These guys decided to bail on Kirk Cousins. Now, they need to prove that was the correct decision’. A lot of that will have to do with the performance of newly signed Sam Darnold and the development of rookie JJ McCarthy.

Related: Sam Darnold Listed as Minnesota Vikings Starter

Re-upping on KOC and Kwesi now would also be cheaper than waiting, if the Wilfs were convinced that success was right around the corner. That’s not the case, though.

Instead, they are essentially challenging O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah to prove that the Minnesota Vikings organization is on a better track now, than it was when they got here. And one thing is for sure… suddenly neither guys’ job feels quite as safe as it did this morning.