Contract Extensions for Minnesota Vikings’ Brass on the Horizon?

Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are heading into year three of their initially signed four-year deal. Both were hired back in early 2022, after the termination of former general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer. The Minnesota Vikings’ just gave left tackle Christian Darrisaw a massive contract extension and re-signed fan favorite cornerback Duke Shelley, but where are Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell’s contract extensions?

Kevin O’Connell a lock for an extension but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn’t?

The Minnesota Vikings’ ownership has been very quiet on whether or not Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell will receive extensions or not, but that doesn’t mean they’re on their way out. Appearing on Skor North this past week, Darren Wolfson (KSTP) shed some light into their contract extension situation for both O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah.

Per @DWolfsonKSTP via @SKORNorth, #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell is very much likely to be extended here in Minnesota regardless if J.J. McCarthy lives up to the hype or not.

Wolfson noted that GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is “to be determined to some extent” but likely will be extended… pic.twitter.com/gwIbwjm7xv

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 23, 2024

I will also tell you, like Kevin is going to be here. Kevin is going to get a contract extension. I will wager whatever you want to wager on that. Kwesi, maybe, probably even, like if I had to bet right now, I would lean more toward, like he’s not gone after this four year contract, that he’s still here, that Andrew Miller, others with the Vikings, the Wilfs, like Kwesi, and I think Kwesi has gotten better the longer he’s been in this job. That’s why I asked him the question, just how have you evolved as a GM entering Training Camp 3 compared to Training Camp 1, because I do think he has improved.

So yeah, I liked the answer. It was the right answer, but I’m just telling you Judd, if I had to bet right now, for sure Kevin, like Kevin is going to be here. And so even if JJ maybe doesn’t live up to quite the expectations that many of us have for him, when you are a top 10 pick, I’m telling you, like they love Kevin so much in that building.

And I get it, that I don’t think Kevin’s going anywhere. His job security is to me, a plus. Kwesi maybe still to be determined to some extent, but Kevin and Kwesi, you know, I mean, you know.

Darren Wolfson (KSTP) via Skor North

Wolfson expands a lot on O’Connell, and how he is pretty much a lock to receive an extension. What’s interesting is where Wolfson states how O’Connell is so well liked within the building, that even if rookie QB J.J. McCarthy doesn’t pan out to be a good quarterback, O’Connell still would get that extension.

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On the flip side, Wolfson seems fairly confident that Adofo-Mensah will get a contract extension as well. Adofo-Mensah has had some ups and downs over the last couple seasons, but he seems to be getting better at the job as time goes on. Even though Wolfson seems somewhat confident Adofo-Mensah get’s that extension, he does note that he is “still to be determined to some extent.”

When to expect contract extensions for both Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah?

At this point in time, there’s not really any urgency given they both are under contract with the Minnesota Vikings through the 2025 NFL season. With that said, if there isn’t an extension this year, this will certainly be the main talker heading into next season.

Related: Justin Jefferson Blown Away by Sam Darnold’s “Bombs” Early at Vikings Training Camp

Overall, don’t expect that to be the case. It’s more than likely that an extension for both O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah will happen in the next few weeks before the season starts. If no extension is given in 2024, look for both to be signed early on in the offseason next year.