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The Eyebrow-Raising QB Comments Echoing Around the Vikings Firing its GM

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Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in Dublin in 2025.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stands on the sidelines prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

A grand takeaway from the decision to fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is that nailing the layups must happen. At No. 12 in 2022, the Vikings should have picked All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton instead of trading, a truth that has been discussed ad nauseam.

Are the recent QB comments from Adofo-Mensah another instance of missing a layup?

Back on January 13th, Adofo-Mensah stepped in front of the Minnesota media. Was there still an ongoing desire to have J.J. McCarthy functioning as the starting passer? Check out the answer: “I don’t know that that’s…I want the Vikings to achieve our goals. And I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs and do different things like that. I think he has the character and ability to be the person to do that for our organization; if I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area.”

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Afterwards, Adofo-Mensah uplifted the need to create a “deep competitive room” at quarterback.

J.J. McCarthy, The Fired GM, & The QB Comments

Maybe Adofo-Mensah was a bit gun shy.

In the past, he made comments that took on a life of their own. Almost certainty, the former Vikings executive didn’t expect his quip about pursuing a “competitive rebuild” to catch fire in the manner that it did. Looking around at other things he has said (champagne problem?) could lead to similar regret about how comments get pulled out of proportion, becoming a caricature of the original meaning.

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Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

But while choosing words carefully is undoubtedly a good thing, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could have done better when answering about his desire (or lack thereof) for Mr. McCarthy to come back as the QB1.

Consider, for instance, an imaginary example of affirming belief in McCarthy without crowning McCarthy: “Yes, of course, I want McCarthy to be the starter, but that’s ultimately a decision for the coaching staff and McCarthy himself. We’ll build up a deep, competitive QB position and McCarthy will work toward proving that he deserves to remain as the starter. All of us here will ensure that he has everything he needs to succeed.”

Now that would have been a better answer.

Obviously, being able to comment on the question close to a month after it got asked is much easier than thinking on the fly. But there’s the other side of things: Adofo-Mensah was (at the time he answered) working toward the end of his fourth season as an NFL GM. He had to know going into the presser that questions about McCarthy and the QB position more broadly were coming.

J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis against the Green Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy operating within the structure of the offense early, as Minnesota looked to establish rhythm and tempo during a high-stakes divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Also notable is that the McCarthy answer — or non-answer, depending on one’s perspective — is that it came on the heels of acknowledging a failure in not being able to retain Daniel Jones.

Standing back could therefore lead to a bleak assessment.

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The Vikings were overconfident in their ability to retain Jones, contributing toward losing Jones to the Colts. Minnesota then pledged its allegiance to an unproven McCarthy. The loyalty was so strong that there was a failure to add legitimate competition. Sam Howell did get tossed into the mix, but he was never a serious threat. Carson Wentz eventually got signed, but adding a veteran journeyman in late August was no threat to the QB1 spot.

After all of that, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah couldn’t articulate a deep desire to see his No. 10 selection from 2024 continue as the starter into 2026.

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Now, that’s not to say that the former GM didn’t have a plan. In no way is that true.

The QB comments didn’t get into these particulars, but Adofo-Mensah opted to enhance the roster is such a robust way so as to lift much of the burden off McCarthy’s shoulders for 2025. Most notably, there was the aggressive spending in the trenches. Adofo-Mensah therefore had a plan. In the absence of actual QB competition, the Vikings decided to give J.J. McCarthy all of the resources he could possibly require for success.

The plan failed. The Vikings missed the playoffs. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah then got fired. Whether J.J. McCarthy is the ongoing QB1 remains to be seen. NFL free agency begins in a touch more than a month.

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Someday, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to get another shot in the NFL. He’ll need to handle the easy shots that come his way, such as committing toward a highly-picked passer without boxing himself into a corner.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Man United’s full five-player injury and withdrawal list as Michael Carrick eyes top two finish

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Michael Carrick has five Manchester United injury concerns to contend with ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds United

Manchester United have five players managing vastly different injury problems over the March international break. Michael Carrick has been rather fortunate regarding the fitness of his squad since his arrival as interim head coach, but that has somewhat changed over the last few weeks.

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez have all missed at least the last month, while minor fitness concerns for Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko led to them withdraw from international duty with Cameroon and Slovenia, respectively.

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Neither are expected to miss the visit of Leeds United in a fortnight, with the two attackers competing for the striker spot in Carrick’s team. The duo will have spent the last week at Carrington alongside the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.

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The latter has missed a significant period of 2026 but returned off the bench against Bournemouth earlier this month. Noussair Mazraoui missed that trip to the Vitality Stadium through illness but was able to join up with Morocco and played the full 90 minutes of their friendly against Ecuador.

Elsewhere, Martinez has not played since the draw with West Ham United in early February, but Carrick has issued a very positive update on his condition.

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He said: “[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright.” Given the time spent out of the team, the Argentine could be eased back into the fold.

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Dorgu and De Ligt are also yet to return from extended absences, with the latter having not played since November because of a back injury.

It is a hamstring issue for Dorgu that Carrick has confirmed will keep him out for a bit longer, but he was able to deliver a positive update on the Netherlands international before the trip to Bournemouth.

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He said: “It’s [a] similar [situation] really, and frustrating for Matta. He’s obviously trying to work to get back, but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard to get him back as quickly as we can.”

While some of United’s injured defenders could be back for the game against Leeds in mid-April, Harry Maguire will definitely miss out as he serves a suspension for the red card picked up against the Cherries.

If neither De Ligt or Martinez are fit enough to feature from the off, Leny Yoro could end up being partnered at the back by Ayden Heaven.

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The 19-year-old has enjoyed his international break after being called up to train with the senior England squad. He returned to the under-20s later in the week and scored in their 3-3 draw against Italy.

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Eagles GM Howie Roseman drops blunt response about AJ Brown trade questions

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Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was faced with many questions about wideout AJ Brown from the local media at the league meetings on Sunday. Brown has been linked with a trade away from Philly this offseason, after a frustrating 2025 season with the team.

However, Roseman opted to offer a blunt response regarding Brown amid the ongoing trade speculation around the wide receiver.

“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock,” Roseman said. “But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on the TV, and I see that there’s interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

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The Eagles acquired Brown via a trade with the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 offseason. He helped Philly reach two Super Bowls, winning one in 2025.

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It remains to be seen if Brown will remain with the Eagles next season.

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Howie Roseman’s Eagles will have No. 23 pick in 2026 NFL draft

Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: ImagnPhiladelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: Imagn
Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman – Source: Imagn

Howie Roseman’s Philly won the NFC East crown last season. However, the Eagles crashed out of the playoffs with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.

Philly has the No. 23 pick in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft. Some draft experts have suggested that the Eagles might want to bolster their offensive line with their first selection this year.