Vikings Get Alarming $100 Million News Ahead of Pivotal Season

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell have done well for themselves since taking over the Minnesota Vikings.

The duo inherited a franchise in need of a cultural reset. In 2022, they did that, winning 13 games and earning a playoff bid with largely the same roster that couldn’t save Mike Zimmer or Rick Spielman’s jobs. Since taking over in 2022, the new Vikings braintrust has compiled a 34-23 regular-season record and made two playoff appearances, rebuilding the roster without a full teardown.

They were both awarded contract extensions this offseason, and while the franchise appears to be moving in the right direction, several sticking points still haunt the new regime — and the most glaring reminder came on Wednesday, August 27.

Kyle Hamilton’s Historic Contract Represents What Should Have Been for Vikings

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens announced a historic extension to All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. The four-year, $100 million deal is the largest in NFL history, with a record-shattering $82 million guarantee. It serves as a reminder of Adofo-Mensah’s first and arguably biggest mistake in his first draft.

Holding the No. 12 pick in the 2022 draft, the Vikings had safety on their list of priorities. Hamilton was there, waiting to be taken.

Instead, the Vikings traded back, dealing the No. 12 and No. 46 picks to the Detroit Lions for the No. 32 and No. 34 and No. 66 picks. Hamilton was selected by Baltimore two picks later.

With that final pick in the first round, the Vikings selected Georgia safety Lewis Cine, who was cut just three years later and has yet to start a single game in the NFL entering his fourth season. He did not make the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 53-man roster and was waived on Monday.

Had the other picks landed in the trade with the Lions hit, the seller’s remorse for passing on Hamilton wouldn’t be as apparent.

However, few meaningful contributions remain even rostered from that draft class. Through two more trade backs, the Vikings landed Andrew Booth Jr., Ed Ingram, Esezi Otomewo and Ty Chandler with the additional draft capital.

Only Chandler, who will largely play a special teams role, remains rostered from that core.

Vikings GM Adofo-Mensah’s Draft Struggles Don’t Tell the Whole Story

GettyMinnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine.

Adofo-Mensah has had more time to develop a better draft strategy, but there is yet to be strong evidence of improvement from the Vikings general manager.

Jordan Addison is one of the best No. 2 wide receivers in the league, but beyond Addison, there are largely just developmental talents.

Adofo-Mensah has shown aggressiveness in improving the roster. Since 2022, the Vikings have made the third-most trades in the league, behind only the Eagles and Houston Texans.

After the Adam Thielen trade, Adofo-Mensah is at 34 trades in his three-plus seasons as general manager. He has not been stubborn in trying to improve the team or waiting for players to hit.

His player evaluation seems to suffer in the draft itself, but the Vikings have landed numerous undrafted rookies who have not only made the 53-man roster, but also contributed over the years, like Ivan Pace Jr. and Theo Jackson.

They’ve made several more bets on undrafted rookies playing a role this season, keeping seven undrafted rookie free agents on the initial 53-man roster.

How valuable these players become to the team remains to be seen, but they need to be accounted for when speaking on their draft history. It’s all player evaluation.

Overall, the memories of his first draft will fade over time, but how J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner produce will play a large role in Adofo-Mensah’s staying power in Minnesota.

Building around a rookie-scale quarterback contract has allowed the Vikings to fill roster holes with priority veteran free agents, but the clock is ticking for the depth of the roster to become a strength.