Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stands on the field before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium, with the December 24, 2023 matchup against the Detroit Lions capturing a quiet pregame moment as Minnesota prepared for a pivotal late-season divisional contest in front of a packed home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings will embark on free agency in five weeks and the NFL draft in April without Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was shockingly fired on Friday after four years with the club. For the time being — perhaps as the full-time option — vice president of operations Rob Brzezinski will take on the interim title of general manager, with Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores expected to take over personnel decision-making, at least to an extent.
Minnesota’s choice to move on from Adofo-Mensah has sparked competing reasons: here’s the list.
So, why did Adofo-Mensah get the axe? Here’s what we know from the grapevine so far.
Advertisement
Want to Know Why the Vikings Fired the GM? We Have Answers.
It’s a significant and sudden change for the Vikings.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks with reporters at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, with March 26, 2025 marking an offseason briefing that focused on free agency decisions and early draft positioning as Minnesota prepared for the upcoming NFL Draft following roster-shaping moves during a pivotal spring reset for the franchise and its leadership group. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
An Aloof Persona
Adofo-Mensah reportedly didn’t work the traditional hours of an NFL general manager, balancing a home life and young children. Some have whispered that he took a two-month-long paternity leave, which is fantastic, but uncommon and perhaps frowned upon in NFL circles.
The guy hired as the “Moneyball GM” four years ago indeed effectuated his version of Moneyball in the Twin Cities, leading him to work behind the scenes when brokering in-person relationships might’ve been the wiser priority. Think of it as a manager at your job who largely stays in his or her office when he or she could be out boosting morale and showing a team-player attitude.
Advertisement
In short, the “spreadsheet guy” appears to have preferred the solace of spreadsheets to that of human contact.
A String of Terrible Trades
In one year alone, Adofo-Mensah confusingly traded strong roster pieces like Harrison Phillips (DT) to the New York Jets and Mekhi Blackmon (CB) to the Indianapolis Colts for somewhat worthless 6th-Round picks. Sixth-rounders are akin to purchasing $2 scratch-off tickets and expecting to win $100,000. It usually doesn’t work that way.
In fact, glancing at the current depth chart in 2026, Minnesota could use Phillips and Blackmon on the depth chart right now. Both men played meaningful roles with their respective teams in 2025.
Advertisement
Moreover, Adofo-Mensah onboarded Adam Thielen, a 35-year-old, for a deal involving a 4th-Round pick to Carolina late last summer. That transaction would’ve been great if a) Thielen was used as a WR3 b) he hadn’t reached an age-related decline. Minnesota never used Thielen as a WR3, and within a few weeks, he seemed “washed.”
Thielen requested his roster release three months later and retired after that. The Vikings won’t have a 4th-Rounder in 2027 because of the weird gaffe. The Carolina Panthers fleeced Adofo-Mensah. Thielen barely played, didn’t have a retirement ceremony in the Twin Cities, and is now gone forever.
Robert Kraft
You will read on the internet this week that Adofo-Mensah had a deal lined up with the New England Patriots to trade for the third overall pick in 2024, netting the Vikings Super Bowl-bound quarterback Drake Maye. That part is true.
Advertisement
The false part? Some are insinuating that Adofo-Mensah backed out of the deal at the last second. That is false. Robert Kraft, the Patriots’ owner, vetoed the trade in the 11th hour.
New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft watches warmups at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on November 8, 2023, as the longtime executive observes preparations from the sidelines before a matchup against the Philadelphia Union. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports.
Had Kraft not intervened — for the Patriots’ sake, thank God he did — Minnesota would’ve drafted Maye, and the rest would be history. However, Kraft acted wisely, getting the best version of cold feet for his organization.
Kraft singlehandedly might’ve sealed Adofo-Mensah’s fate with the reversal.
J.J. McCarthy Not Game-Ready
With Adofo-Mensah gone, many have now suggested everything that has gone right for the Vikings is attributable to Kevin O’Connell, with all the nasty malarkey to the fault of Adofo-Mensah. Pretty convenient, eh?
Advertisement
No matter what, the buck stopped with Adofo-Mensah on the J.J. McCarthy draft pick. The Vikings can preach a “culture of collaboration,” and that’s peachy, but at the end of the day, the general manager makes the draft picks.
Adofo-Mensah picked McCarthy as the face of his competitive rebuild. Three and a half months later, McCarthy succumbed to a torn meniscus in August 2024, and when he healed, he very vividly wasn’t ready for the bright lights of the QB1 job in 2025. McCarthy flashed at times and in clutch moments, but it wasn’t enough to propel Minnesota to the 2025 postseason. He also suffered more injuries.
Like the would-be Maye trade, had McCarthy stayed healthy, Adofo-Mensah might still be employed. But let’s face it: the guy drafted by Adofo-Mensah to define his legacy has not panned out over two seasons, missing 70% of games due to injury.
The Sam Darnold Decision
Advertisement
Why was Adofo-Mensah canned three and a half weeks after the Week 18? Probably because Sam Darnold’s visit to the Super Bowl served as a smoking gun and the straw that broke the camel’s back. Think about it: the two guys in the Vikings’ orbit to possibly lead the purple team in 2024 and 2025 — Darnold and Maye — will play in the Super Bowl next weekend, while Vikings fans wonder if McCarthy is even durable enough to develop into a long-time starter.
The Vikings’ owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, probably watched Darnold advance to the Super Bowl and thought, “Oh my dear God.”
Adofo-Mensah again is the victim of after-the-fact theories that claim “O’Connell wanted Darnold and Adofo-Mensah did not,” but the fact remains that the Vikings general manager did not re-sign Darnold or franchise tag him. That guy is now in line to win Super Bowl MVP.
Poor Drafts
Advertisement
Every NFL team starts with seven picks in a draft. For Adofo-Mensah, that means he had 28 swings at the plate since taking over in 2022.
His 28 picks have resulted in these success stories: Jordan Addison (WR), Jalen Nailor (WR), Will Reichard (K), Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT), and Dallas Turner (OLB). Five dudes.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine prepares on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, on August 20, 2022, showing pregame warmups before a preseason meeting with the San Francisco 49ers, as the rookie gained early experience adjusting to the NFL environment during his first professional season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
That’s five good players in four years. Some teams have quadruple that.
One can deduce that Adofo-Mensah connected on 17%-20% of draft picks. That’s not sustainable — at all — and will murder any franchise if no remedy is sought. Minnesota’s fix will be finding somebody who can draft.
It is not normal to have just five contributors from the draft in four years. It’s downright cancerous for team-building. The draft is the only place in sports to get “free” players. In the last few years, Vikings fans have basically conceded, “Well, we won’t hit on hardly any picks, so let’s hope free agency goes well.”
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Team USA’s Olympics base camp is making headlines since it had to change its name from Ice House to Winter House. But first, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the country is planning a social media ban for under-16s. Next, Russian athletes could soon be back competing under their national flag. Meanwhile, the 2030 Olympic Games in France are off to a slow start. Finally, scientists study what love might look like in space.
Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79. Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, but is perhaps best known for presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.
If this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is even half as good as the last time these two franchises met on this stage, it will be a wild ride. Eleven years after a Super Bowl XLIX thriller, the teams meet again with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks, similar to their previous Super Bowl trips, have been powered by one of the NFL’s best defenses. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league this season and finished first in yards per pass attempt allowed and yards per rush attempt allowed. The defense flexed its muscle in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, allowing a paltry 3.9 yards per play — San Francisco’s worst mark all season.
But it was the offense that stepped up most in the NFC Championship Game. Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams, with 153 yards and a touchdown going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kenneth Walker III had 111 yards from scrimmage and a score, and Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo also found the end zone.
Though the offense was hit-or-miss down the stretch of the regular season, it seems to have found its footing in the playoffs and, crucially, has zero turnovers. Overall, Seattle has a plus-four turnover differential this postseason.
Speaking of turnovers, no one has forced more than New England this postseason, and it’s not particularly close. The Patriots’ defense has absolutely wreaked havoc, first against the Los Angeles Chargers, then the Houston Texans and finally, in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos. The Patriots’ 8.7 points per game allowed is the fewest by any team through three playoff games since the vaunted 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense.
The Patriots offense, which powered much of the team’s regular-season success, hasn’t fared as well. New England’s 18.0 postseason points per game is the fewest entering a Super Bowl appearance since the 1979 Rams. Still, Drake Maye has made several big plays — both with his arm and his legs — and New England’s firepower will certainly be a major test for Seattle’s defense.
Advertisement
Here’s how to watch the game, followed by keys to the contest and a prediction.
Super Bowl LX: Where to watch Seahawks vs. Patriots
For as good as Darnold has been this season — and especially this postseason — he does have a penchant for turnovers. In fact, his 20 turnovers this season were most in the NFL, and his 14 interceptions were third-most. Eight of those 14 turnovers happened when he was pressured, tied with Geno Smith for most in the NFL.
Now (mostly) healthy, the Patriots’ pass rush has been dominant this postseason with an NFL-best 52% pressure rate. For comparison’s sake, the highest pressure rate during the regular season was 45% (by the Minnesota Vikings).
The Seahawks have done a good job keeping Darnold clean for the most part, and play-caller Klint Kubiak does a good job of getting him out of the pocket via play-action and giving him easy answers.
The path for the underdogs to come out on top starts with getting to Darnold. The next step is protecting their own quarterback. Maye has taken five sacks in all three of his playoff games so far, and while that’s come against three of the NFL’s best defenses, it’s not as if the Seahawks’ unit is any easier.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald dials up a variety of different schemes and pressure looks, and he has both a disruptive duo inside (Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II) and a plethora of edge rushers to generate pressure.
Advertisement
When the Seahawks do get pressure, Maye has to be careful with the ball: He has six fumbles (three lost) this postseason, both most of any player.
Can Maye hit the deep ball?
The Seahawks’ excellent cornerbacks play very aggressively, and it almost always works. The results speak for themselves.
But if the offensive line holds up, Maye might have the opportunity for a deep ball or two, and he’s been as good as anyone in those scenarios: His 35 completions at least 20 yards downfield this regular season were second-most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford.
Advertisement
Super Bowl LX pick, prediction
Expect some nerves early, especially from the quarterbacks, but as both settle in, this should be a great, close battle between an ascending star and an unlikely one.
Maye is looking to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Darnold is looking to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after playing for at least five different teams.
Advertisement
Ultimately, the Seahawks’ defense gets a few timely stops, and Seattle leaves with its second championship.
Nigeria have intensified preparations for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Uzbekistan by moving their training base to the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, the venue for the February 7 to 8 encounter.
The move from the National Stadium, Surulere, is part of final match readiness as the players familiarise themselves with the courts and surroundings ahead of the two day contest.
Uzbekistan, which arrived in Lagos on sunday have also settled in and held their first training session on Monday. The visitors travelled with three players and four officials, with their leading player, Khumoyun Sultanov, joining the squad after his recent title win at the ITF M15 tournament in Kuwait.
Advertisement
Sultanov, 27, reached the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers in 2025 and achieved a career high ATP ranking of 216 in January. He is joined by Ilya Ignatov, Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, and 17 year old Sukrob Saidov.
Nigeria will be led by national number one Daniel Adeleye, alongside Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel, all selected based on national rankings. Uche Oparaoji returns to the squad, while Abubakar Yusuf is set to make his Davis Cup debut after representing Nigeria at the Africa Games in Ghana.
Despite Nigeria being ranked 74 in the world and Uzbekistan 49, confidence remains within the Nigerian camp. According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, hosting the tie reflects the country’s progress in international tennis.
Advertisement
Federation president Victor Ochei said the opportunity to host was a result of recent performances.
“Nigeria has been consistent at this level and that consistency has earned us trust,” Ochei said. “Hosting this tie shows that we can compete and also deliver at international standard.”
He confirmed that the National Sports Commission is supporting the federation in funding and event delivery.
A 15 member Central Planning Committee, chaired by Victor Hembah, has been set up to oversee preparations in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation, the National Sports Commission, Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the host club.
Advertisement
President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, said the venue is ready for the tie.
“The courts and facilities are prepared, and we are ready to host,” Adewusi said. “This is an important event for Nigerian tennis.”
The match will take place on the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club this weekend.
Enyimba FC players are in the second day of their strike on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, over unpaid match bonuses. SportsRation reports.
According to SportsRation sources in Aba, the players trained themselves at a primary school field this morning without any coach present. The club’s technical team had waited at the Enyimba International Stadium, only to discover that the squad had moved to the school field.
The players say they will not return to proper training until the club settles the match bonuses owed to them. This action comes amid growing tension between the Kanu Nwankwo-led management and the Abia State Government.
Advertisement
The strike threatens to affect the club’s recent revival on the field. Enyimba had picked up four points in their last two matches after a difficult month.
Enyimba currently sit 11th on the league table with 31 points from 24 matches, while Bayelsa United occupy 14th place with 28 points.
While most football fans are excited to see the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks match up in Super Bowl LX, there is one fan base that could be staring at this game as the worst matchup possible.
The New York Jets haven’t seen the playoffs in 15 years, the worst mark of any professional sports team in the U.S. And fans certainly weren’t happy to see a 3-14 finish in the first season under head coach Aaron Glenn.
But to make matters worse, the Patriots, their AFC East rival who were with them with back-to-back four-win seasons, turned around quickly with Mike Vrabel at the helm and Drake Maye turning into an MVP candidate in just his second season.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams.(Getty Images)
The Jets and their fan base spent years being tormented by Tom Brady and the Patriots, and to have New England back in the “Big Game” this quickly isn’t ideal.
Then, on the other sideline in Santa Clara will be the Seahawks, the No. 1 seed in the NFC this year led by quarterback Sam Darnold — the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold is the first quarterback from that draft, which included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield, to reach the Super Bowl. Jets fans pictured Darnold wearing the green and white, beating the Patriots on his way to the Super Bowl.
Things never turned out that way for Gang Green, but one former Jets quarterback believes there’s only one way for fans to root for something in this Super Bowl.
“I think there’s probably a lot of people that are still rooting for Sam,” Ryan Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, while discussing his trip to Aruba with his wife, Liza, after partnering with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
“Sam would be the first to say he didn’t play well enough, but it’s very hard when there’s not an infrastructure and people around you to be successful as a quarterback in this league. I think Jets fans should be happy and proud to see Sam come out on the other side, because it’s not easy.”
Advertisement
Sam Darnold of the New York Jets looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Darnold’s time in New York lasted only three seasons despite his draft selection, culminating in up-and-down weeks and unfortunate memes, including his most infamous against the Patriots where he said he was seeing “ghosts” on the field.
After stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold was able to rekindle his career in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season last year. That allowed him the chance to pick where he wanted to go in free agency this past offseason, and he chose the Seahawks after they traded away Geno Smith.
Darnold clearly made the right move.
If Fitzpatrick were still a Jets fan — he actively roots for the Buffalo Bills, the team he played for before joining New York — it would be easy to root for Darnold’s success.
Advertisement
But even though Fitzpatrick himself was beaten by the Patriots for years during his career, he does find himself reluctantly rooting for them on Sunday.
“The hard thing for me in this one, I mean I’ve hated the Patriots forever. Even though I was in Boston, I was at Harvard, they had a good, little run while I was there. I was still never a Patriots fan, and then it’s like I spent eight years of my career in the AFC East just getting beat up by them every single year,” he explained. “The fact that they’re good again and find themselves back in the Super Bowl after Tom leaving and Bill leaving, and now having Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick on set during the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“It’s a hard realization, but I love Mike Vrabel so much. I was with him in Houston, I get to play golf with him at the American Century in [Lake] Tahoe every summer. He’s a great dude. I love his family, I love his kids, I love him. So, actually, I feel like I’m rooting for New England in this game, which pains me to say.”
ONE HAPPY ISLAND, ONE HAPPY FITZ
Advertisement
After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, visited Aruba for some well-earned relaxation to reset and recharge before the Super Bowl.
He partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which showcases the island’s commitment to responsible tourism, which includes protecting the island’s natural environment, celebrating local culture and inviting guests to travel mindfully through the Aruba Promise and Guest Guidelines.
Fitzpatrick did that and loved every minute of it, as he experienced the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their time in Aruba after the 2025 NFL season.(Aruba Tourism Authority)
“My wife and I — seven kids. So, we very rarely get away. So, when we get away, we gotta make sure it’s the right spot, and this one hit. It has the white-sand beaches, it has the resort, which is great. But it also has the adventure. I’m not a guy that likes to just sit on the beach and get the tan all day long. There was hiking, we were swimming in a natural pool, we went and searched some caves a little bit.
“The great thing for my wife and I, right away you feel relaxed. Then, we come home and there is this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we’re feeling. It stayed with us.”
The timing of Everton’s decision comes as a surprise, just hours after the transfer deadline closed and they added Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar to their ranks.
Sorensen has been involved in recruitment and many of their additions over the past two windows have suited his requests.
But the feeling a change of direction was needed has been lingering at Everton for several months.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by their performances with Sorensen seemingly still unsure on his best XI and often using players out of position.
Advertisement
His experimental style has been effective before and he should be praised for his management last season when Everton’s injury crisis left a thin squad amid a time when the club were awaiting the completion of the Friedkin Group takeover.
However, expectations grew this year when investment came, signings were made and the squad had enough quality to be challenging further up the table.
They have been dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle and Everton have acted now in the hope that they can do enough to stabilise their position before rebuilding in the summer.
Sorensen’s overall time at Everton has shown his capabilities as a coach but the inability to field a consistent team has harmed his progression.
CSR:
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the postseason unfolded on Jan. 13, 2025. The moment captured Flores overseeing Minnesota’s defensive adjustments amid playoff pressure, with communication and situational control at a premium throughout the game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Brian Flores will return to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 as the defensive coordinator, and while he cooks that meal on defense, he might just get to buy the groceries. With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out as general manager, Flores is expected to have a significant personnel impact in free agency and the draft.
If Minnesota leans defense early, Flores’ fingerprints could be all over the March plan and April board.
Minnesota signed Flores to a monster extension and will have to earn it by obtaining the right players.
Advertisement
Brian Flores Could Wield Rare Roster Influence in 2026
Rejoice: Flores is back — with more power.
Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores tracks the action from the sideline during the second half as the Vikings faced the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 6, 2024, managing calls and communication in a rare London setting while Minnesota navigated crowd noise, travel fatigue, and the challenges of an international regular-season game environment. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Kwesi Disharmony
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on Adofo-Mensah last weekend, “Adofo-Mensah’s background led some around the NFL to view him with skepticism, and he acknowledged several times during his tenure that he was learning on the job, in everything from player evaluation to leading his front-office staff.”
“Rob Brzezinski stepped in to assist in some trade negotiations, while coach Kevin O’Connell served as an emissary during tense discussions such as Danielle Hunter’s 2023 hold-in. Sources spoke of frustration from the team’s scouting staff and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who let his contract expire before signing a new deal Jan. 21.”
Advertisement
Folks had wondered for months why the Vikings hadn’t signed Flores to an extension. It now appears that he wasn’t necessarily fond of Adofo-Mensah.
Goessling added, “The Vikings’ lack of draft success seemed to be a constant stressor, leaving the roster without the depth it needed to weather injuries and forcing Brzezinski to cover draft mistakes with cleverly structured contracts that were lucrative enough to woo players to Minnesota without putting the Vikings back in cap purgatory.”
Adofo-Mensah did not draft well, the Vikings must hit on rookies as soon as this April, the team will not hire a new general manager until after the draft, and Flores might be the last man standing to make the call when Minnesota is on the clock.
Think about it: Who else would it be?
Advertisement
Flores a De Facto Defensive GM?
Without the buck-stops-here guy — Adofo-Mensah from 2022 to 2025 with his general manager title — drafting defensive players or finding them in free agency is now up to Brzezinski, O’Connell, and Flores. Well, take one wild guess who’s the best defensive mind of the trio. It is, of course, Flores.
Brzezinski does not have an advanced personnel background, at least compared to his capologist magic. O’Connell will presumably run the show on offense, and that leaves Flores for defense.
It’s actually a coach’s dream — the ability to pick his players for his scheme. While other coordinators might have input, Flores may now has the keys to the city. No wonder he returned to Minnesota.
Advertisement
Follow the Money
How is this theory plausible? It’s the money. Minnesota will pay $6 million per year, a record-shattering sum and one deserved for a coach who habitually fosters Top 3 defenses. Why would a coordinator get so much? Foremost, there’s the production. He immediately transformed Minnesota’s defense into a contender from the jump when hired in 2023.
Then, it just makes sense that the guy who’s pulling down the supreme coordinator contract would take on quasi-general manager responsibilities. He probably loves it, but think about it: if the franchise needs Flores to determine the right players from free agency and the draft, shouldn’t he be paid extra handsomely for his services? That’s how the world works.
Flores’ new giant contract reflects that of a man who is about to lead a Top 5 defense and choose the right players from free agency and the draft.
Advertisement
New England linebackers coach Brian Flores patrols the sideline during the AFC Championship matchup against Jacksonville at Gillette Stadium on Jan 21, 2018, observing defensive alignments and situational responses as the Patriots battled for a Super Bowl berth in a tense, weather-influenced postseason environment with constant pressure from a physical Jaguars offense throughout the night. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NBC Sports‘ Mile Florio noted on Flores’s salary: “Because coaching pay lacks the transparency of player pay, it’s impossible to know with certainty how much anyone makes. It was reported that Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly received $6 million per year. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio makes $4.5 million annually.”
“With Kelly now fired, those numbers would make Flores the highest-paid coordinator in the league. Minnesota’s willingness to spend that much on Flores may help explain the reluctance of the Cowboys to enter the bidding. Yes, we’d be surprised by the amount of the check that owner Jerry Jones would write to guarantee a Super Bowl win. We’d be surprised, because it’s so small.”
Translation to … Who in the Draft?
Let’s pretend that Flores gets his way, and the Vikings spend their 1st-Round pick — No. 18 — on a defensive player. Flores will have options. These players might blend the best player available at No. 18 and the club’s long-term roster need:
CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
Aveion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane celebrates following a second-half play against Clemson at Memorial Stadium on Aug 30, 2025, reacting to a pivotal moment as the Tigers tested coverage discipline, composure, and athleticism during an early-season road environment charged with intensity and momentum swings from both sidelines under national attention and crowd noise pressure applied. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Cornerbacks, especially, will be plentiful at Minnesota’s spot, and the franchise hasn’t successfully drafted one in 11 years.
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2024 season with a record of 14-3 and a playoff spot. They finished the 2025 season 9-8 and on the outside looking in at the playoffs. They have spent some time since being eliminated looking inward to divine what went wrong. And late last week they decided that at least part of the blame goes to general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah—despite receiving a new contract before the season began.
Kwesi was relieved of his duties on January 30. And while the disappointing 2025 campaign was not all his fault, by any stretch of this imagination, plenty of blame can be laid at his feet. Since becoming the GM in 2022, Kwesi has produced uneven drafts at best and woefully unproductive ones annually. He made risky trades with division rivals, left holes in the roster that required plenty of free agents to fill, depleted the team’s depth with spotty drafting while producing the oldest roster last season and spending near the most money over the salary cap coming into the next one.
When you throw in some rumored/reported in-fighting with other members of the Vikings staff, it sounds like the timing of the firing (which many pundits were confused by) comes later than it perhaps should have. In fact, at least one of
Advertisement
the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast, Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) put Kwesi on the hot seat shortly after the team was eliminated from post season play. So, now without a new GM yet named, the Vikings begin again. Tune in to check out our discussion of it all. Skol!
Listen to Vikings Territory Breakdown here or on your favorite podcast network.
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
Tyson Fury is eyeing up another return to the top of heavyweight boxing, with his comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov formally announced. Now, Derek Chisora has named the man whom he believes should be in in his corner, rather than current trainer SugarHill Steward.
Fury underwent a two-and-a-half year hiatus after defeating Wladimir Klitschko to win the unified heavyweight world titles in 2015, piling on the pounds and making a return to the throne seem impossible.
However, with the help of Ben Davison, Fury reduced his weight and went unbeaten in five contests within 15 months, which included a draw in a legendary clash with Deontay Wilder when bidding for the WBC heavyweight crown.
Advertisement
Although, for the rematch with the American, the 6’9” Briton switched trainer, appointing SugarHill Steward and adopting the front-footed ‘Kronk’ style of fighting.
This led to a sensational display where a new-look Fury knocked Wilder out in a performance for the ages, to reclaim the heavyweight throne in impressive fashion back in 2020.
Since then, Fury has remained with Steward, including for the two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, which put an end to Fury’s undefeated record and led to his retirement.
In an interview with Seconds Out, Chisora explained that he believes Fury requires another change of approach and suggested that he should re-appoint Peter Fury, in an attempt to rediscover the style that he used to defeat Klitschko over a decade ago.
Advertisement
“He needs to go back to his uncle. Go to Peter Fury and he will get that [herky-jerky style back]. He needs to get rid of SugarHill [Steward] and get back to his uncle, if he wants to get that [style], the way he won the world title.”
