Vikings appoint Seattle’s Teasley as general manager following Adofo-Mensah dismissal

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with Seattle Seahawks assistant Nolan Teasley to serve as their new general manager, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated Press. The appointment marks a significant restructuring of the franchise’s leadership, replacing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was dismissed in January after four years in the role. Teasley, who has spent his entire 13-year NFL career with Seattle, was selected from a shortlist of five finalists.

Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf sought a collaborator capable of bridging the gap between the personnel department and the coaching staff, moving away from the traditional scouting backgrounds that characterised previous hires. Teasley was promoted to assistant general manager in 2023 under John Schneider, the architect of the Seahawks’ recent success. During Teasley’s tenure, Seattle made the playoffs nine times, reached three Super Bowls, and won two, including the most recent victory in February.

The decision follows a period of instability for the Vikings, particularly regarding quarterback Sam Darnold. After Minnesota declined to re-sign Darnold, he joined the Seahawks and helped lead them to a championship, having won 14 games in his lone season with Minnesota in 2024. The performance of Darnold in Seattle undoubtedly influenced the Wilf family’s decision to part ways with Adofo-Mensah, who had been hired for his unconventional background in economics and Wall Street experience.

Teasley will work alongside head coach Kevin O’Connell and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who will retain his position. Brzezinski, who directed the draft last month while serving as interim general manager, has been with the organisation since 1999 and is widely respected for his expertise in salary cap management. The trio is expected to be entrusted with the task of bringing the Vikings their first championship.

Teasley was the only finalist without prior ties to the Vikings. The other candidates included current executive vice president Rob Brzezinski, Denver Broncos assistant general manager Reed Burckhardt, Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray, and Los Angeles Rams assistant general manager John McKay. Both Burckhardt and Gray previously worked as scouts for the Vikings, while O’Connell previously worked for the Rams. Teasley, a Washington native, graduated from Central Washington University in 2007 with a degree in public relations before joining the Seahawks as a scouting intern in 2013.