As long as the NFL has had a salary cap, Brzezinski has helped a team manage it. He started with the Dolphins in 1993, the year before the cap was introduced. He spent six seasons in Miami, finishing his law degree at Nova Southeastern in 1995. He worked with business and legal affairs, salary cap administration, contract negotiations and team operations during his time with the Dolphins before the Vikings hired him in 1999.

Brzezinski was part of the power structure dubbed the “Triangle of Authority” during the Wilfs’ early years of ownership. He had equal say in roster decisions with Rick Spielman (then the team’s vice president of player personnel) and the Vikings’ head coach (first Brad Childress, then Leslie Frazier), with all three reporting directly to ownership. The Vikings won back-to-back NFC North titles in 2008 and 2009, which still represents the only time in the Wilfs’ tenure that the team has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. But the structure also created confusion about who had the final say over the roster. After the Vikings’ attempts to retain an aging roster resulted in a 6-10 season in 2010 and a 3-13 record in 2011, the team scrapped the three-person arrangement and gave Spielman full control of the roster as general manager in 2012.

When the Wilfs fired Frazier after the 2013 season, Spielman led the coaching search that resulted in the team hiring Mike Zimmer, and the Vikings fully assumed a more traditional power structure. Brzezinski worked closely with Spielman, continuing to sit in on personnel meetings even as his primary role returned to salary cap management. His relationships with agents and his adroit contract design helped the Vikings seal deals that made Randy Moss, Matt Birk, Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, Kirk Cousins, T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson the highest-paid players at their positions at various points during Brzezinski’s tenure. And when the Vikings sought to retain veterans across the roster after their run to the 2017 NFC title game while giving Cousins the first fully guaranteed contract in the NFL’s free agency era, they counted on Brzezinski to make it all work.

“Rob is such a seasoned executive, and we’re so fortunate to have him as an integral part of our negotiations, our structuring of contracts, and where [the] salary cap fits,” Wilf said during an interview in December 2024. “The fans want championships, and we want championships. And so our motto is: Whatever it takes in terms of providing resources. We do have a salary cap environment we have to live with, [so we see] if there’s ways we can work within that system to give us the maximal chance of success.”

Clearing salary cap space, possibly by cutting or restructuring the contracts of several veteran players, was already scheduled to be on Brzezinski’s offseason to-do list. The Vikings need to cut roughly $40 million of costs by March 11. After Adofo-Mensah’s firing, Brzezinski will be asked to do that work while overseeing a Vikings front office in need of continuity and cohesiveness during an offseason full of critical decisions.

The stability Brzezinski brings to the job, as much as anything, seems to be why the Wilfs turned to him to run the show while they hire their next GM. It’s possible that hire will be Brzezinski, should he choose to pursue the Vikings’ top front-office job toward the end of his NFL career. Wilf said the team will conduct an “open process” during its GM search, adding he wouldn’t rule out Brzezinski as a candidate for the permanent job.

Brzezinski will get something of a trial run this spring, as the Vikings ask him to steady their front office before a pivotal series of decisions that include, but are not limited to: How aggressively they will pursue a veteran alternative to quarterback J.J. McCarthy; how they will spend a projected nine draft picks, including four in the top 100; the composition of their secondary with safety Harrison Smith’s possible retirement looming; and the makeup of their offensive line, with right tackle Brian O’Neill entering a contract year and center Ryan Kelly’s future in doubt.

Coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have prominent voices in the Vikings’ offseason decisions, while the team’s scouting department searches for young talent that can ameliorate some of the Vikings’ cap issues. Brzezinski will act as a point guard in the process, valued as much for his relationships across departments as for his years of institutional knowledge.

“He going to build a collaborative team, work with the team we have, and that’s where the expertise comes in here,” Wilf said. “He knows what we’re strong at. He’s going to know, with his experience, who he can lean on, and there are a lot of people to lean on in this building. I’m very confident in Rob, with Coach O’Connell and our entire football staff that we’ll be able to navigate this.”

STRIB

I think it's fair to talk about KOC and his ability to Head Coach.  I will preface this with I have been a huge KOC fan.  After last year, I really thought we had captured fire in a bottle.  I mean 14 wins with Sam Darnold?  Come on man.

But then this season happened and we all saw a few things.  First, Darnold.  There were points in the season versus the Rams and 49ers were it looked like Darnold was going to implode like he had at the end of last year.  Heck in the first Rams game he did implode.  But then the Seachickens changed their approach.  Ran the ball more.  Less downfield and more close to the LOS.  Darnold's confidence built and in the NFC Championship game, he went toe to toe with the probable league MVP.  I have to ask myself, is this a brand of coaching that KOC and the Vikings are not capable of?  We all watched at the end of the season the total implosion.  Sure some say it was the OL.  Some say it was Sam, but I say it was the OL, Sam and KOC.  KOC's refusal to change his "kick ass" (Brad Childress reference) seems to be as much of a culprit.

Second, McCarthy.  Watching him implode, especially early in the season, seemed reminiscent of the Darnold vs. the Rams playoff game.  It was just ugly.  In-decision, interceptions, wildly in-accurate.  Coincidence?  I think not.  Some could be said about the OL, and some being McCarthy, but I just think some is KOC as well.  Maybe he just isn't the QB and Offensive Guru we all thought he was.

Now don't get me wrong, I am still a KOC fan, but my excitement has been tempered quite a bit.  I am very skeptical now of the path forward.  Removing Kwesi and putting Brzezinski in place seems to signal giving KOC more control.  The talk of bringing in a Quarterback to compete with your hand picked franchise QB.  We all know that KOC had a large part in the selection of McCarthy.

So I say with skeptism, what is the path forward?  Is KOC the guy?  Did the Vikings screw up again?  Are we going to be running the kick-ass offense again?

TORONTO — A little more than 48 hours out from the NBA’s trade deadline, the Timberwolves made their first move in what could be a blockbuster deadline for the organization. This deal might leave fans shaking their heads, however.

Or, if nothing else comes down the pike, the move could end up being a cost-cutting measure.

The Wolves dealt veteran guard Mike Conley to Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 3 as part of a three-team trade with the Bulls and Detroit Pistons, and they sent out a pick swap this year to the Pistons.

In the other parts of the trade, Jaden Ivey heads to Chicago from Detroit while Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric head to the Pistons.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported the trade drops the Wolves’ luxury tax bill from $24 million this season to $3.8 million. The move puts the Wolves under the first apron of the salary-cap by $2.4 million and just over the luxury tax line by $3.8 million.

Conley was making $10.8 million this season. The move also opens a roster spot the Wolves could use in another deal.

The Wolves have been pursuing Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo before the deadline, which is Thursday, Feb. 5, and have been reported to be among the most aggressive teams wheeling and dealing to entice the Bucks into a deal.

STRIB

The Max Winter group owned the Vikings during their hay days. There were those who tried to buy the Vikings but couldn't find the funding when they were up for sale. Roger Hendrick and Carl Pohlad bought the Vikings in the late 80's. Red McCombs bought them in '98. McCombs was only interested in making money and moving them to San Antonio.
The Wilfs bought them from Red and said they would keep them in Minnesota., and they did.
Not too long after that, just before the first game of the season, I had the opportunity to talk to Zygi Wilf. The conversation was brief and lasted about 5 minutes. But from that short conversation I was, and still am, absolutely convinced that he wants a championship above all else.
The Wilfs are fantastic owners that have invested significant capital in facilities, players, and coaches.
The reason they haven't quite achieved the results they desire is their quest to be innovative.
Their methods have been unique.
It started with the Triangle of authority. When that didn't work they decided to hire the coach that no other team would hire, Mike Zimmer. 
Their outside the box, or innovative approach, continued when they hired a GM with little football knowledge and a head coach who had never called plays. Both lacked experience.
If I look back all those years ago when the 49'ers hired Shanahan as head coach and Lynch as GM, that was innovative and unique. But those guys knew football.
I can only hope the Wilfs take a more traditional path in their future hirings or maybe they can find a guy like Don Coryell or Bill Walsh who were ahead of their time. But KOC is not it. He's a real good coach and could get there, but he is still learning.

This will be my last post here. I have grown weary of know it alls who know nothing. If you take offense to that, then you are probably one of them. 
SKOL Vikings.

The narrative around the kid aint positive right now and he'll have to change it himself with his play (if he gets the chance)

Lots of team mates pay was negatively impacted by the QB play, hopefully he's not taking that all on that directly.

I suspect he's anxious to see who they bring into the QB room and what it might mean to his playing time, his place on the depth chart

Will a new GM be in his corner? Or not? 

Lot to take on at 22/23 and with a new baby at home, be easy to turtle the moment and go into a shell.

So Brian Flores is now the highest paid Defensive Coordinator in the history of the NFL.


Brian Flores has signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the NFL at over $6 million per season.

Contract Details
Extension Confirmation: Brian Flores has officially signed a contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings, as confirmed by the team. This extension comes after his previous contract expired, allowing him to negotiate a new deal.

Financial Terms: The new contract reportedly pays Flores more than $6 million per year, surpassing the previous highest salary for a coordinator, which was held by Vic Fangio at $4.5 million. This significant financial commitment reflects the Vikings' confidence in Flores' abilities as a defensive strategist.

Two key items that inquiring minds want to know:  
1)  How many years is the contract term?
2)  Did this delay in negotiating BFlo's contract have anything to do with KAM's eventual firing?

The first answer should be black and white, but I cannot find it.
The second answer...I doubt anyone would openly acknowledge it if it did.  But still...

We streamed this last night and all I can say is wow! What an entertaining couple of hours. Great plot (plot twist), music, dancing, acting etc..

Best picture nominated and a rare 100/% on rotten tomatoes. Watch it past the end credits to get the final ending....

This isn’t the “offseason” for NFL general managers.

It’s their season.

Yet the Vikings decided to fire their GM, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, on Jan. 30 after four years at the helm. Co-owner Mark Wilf cited this offseason being “critical” as the reason for making the decision.

It’s a critical offseason because coach Kevin O’Connell needs to chart a course toward his first playoff win in Year 5, and the team needs to hit on eight (or more) draft picks after struggling to select young and cost-controlled talent under Adofo-Mensah.

Rob Brzezinski, the team’s executive vice president of football operations and longtime salary cap guru, takes over on a interim basis a front office that will need his talents to cut costs after fielding the NFL’s most expensive roster in 2025. Wilf summarized the team’s focus as lying on “supplementing” the roster in free agency while needing to hit on the upcoming draft capital.

Here are the key dates to know on the Vikings’ calendar.

Jan. 31: The NFL world, including Vikings scouts, descended onto Mobile, Ala., over the past week for the annual series of Senior Bowl practices and the top college all-star game that is played on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Feb. 17: The franchise and transition tag window opens until March 3. The Vikings last used a tag to retain a player in 2020, when safety Anthony Harris was coming off a league-leading six interceptions during the 2019 season.

Feb. 23–March 2: The NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, where scouts, coaches and medical staffers meet with the top draft-eligible prospects for athletic and strength testing, as well as interviews and medical evaluations.

March 9-11: During this free agency negotiating window, the Vikings’ current 15 unrestricted free agents can enter contract talks with other teams. Those pending free agents include receiver Jalen Nailor, punter Ryan Wright and linebacker Eric Wilson.

March 11: NFL free agency opens at 3 p.m. Central time. Restricted free agents become unrestricted at this time if not given a tender. The Vikings currently have two RFAs: linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and tight end Ben Sims. The lowest-level RFA tender (a one-year contract) is a projected $3.5 million for next season.

March 13: A few veteran Vikings get partial salary guaranteed if they are still rostered on this date, including defensive tackle Jonathan Allen ($8 million), edge rusher Jonathan Greenard ($4 million) and running back Aaron Jones Sr. ($2 million).

April 15: This is the final day NFL teams can host draft-eligible players at their facilities. Every team gets 30 official pre-draft visitors often referred to as “Top 30 visits.” It’s not actually the team’s top 30 ranked players, but rather players with lingering questions that can range from medical to character.

April 20: The Vikings can begin the 2026 offseason workout program on this date, as can all NFL teams with returning head coaches..

April 23-25: The NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh. The Vikings currently have eight picks, but they are projected to get another third-round selection through the compensatory pick formula.

May 1: The deadline to decide on receiver Jordan Addison’s 2027 fifth-year option that will cost a projected $17.5 million, which is fully guaranteed, according to OvertheCap.com.


STRIB

The Vikings hired two coaches for Brian Flores’ defensive staff on Saturday, Jan. 31, while making two changes to their offensive staff designed to help their run game and reboot their offensive front.

According to a source with knowledge of the moves, the Vikings hired former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as their assistant head coach, bringing him in for a key role shaping the run game after his time with Mike McDaniel in Miami. 

The Vikings promoted assistant offensive line coach Keith Carter to their top offensive line coach job and hired two veteran coaches — Ryan Nielsen and Gerald Alexander — for their defensive line and defensive backs coaches jobs.

Smith played a key role in constructing a Dolphins run game in Miami that ranked sixth in the league in 2023, as Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achance helped the Dolphins lead the league in offensive yards that season. 

In Minnesota, he’ll likely give a boost to the Vikings’ run game, while using his offensive line background to help Carter take over a group that continued to struggle in 2025 after a major series of offseason investments.

Carter received the only internal promotion in the group, replacing Chris Kuper as the offensive line coach after the Vikings decided not to renew Kuper’s contract. The 2025 season was Carter’s first in Minnesota, after seven seasons with the Titans and Jets. The Vikings used more than 20 different offensive line combinations last season, while center Ryan Kelly navigated a series of concussions and left tackle Christian Darrisaw tried to return from his 2024 knee surgery. Players in Tennessee and New York criticized Carter’s coaching style, but his first season in Minnesota helped him get the promotion once he’d had a chance to articulate his vision for the offensive line in an interview for the job.

Nielsen had interviewed for the Vikings’ defensive coordinator job in 2023 before the team hired Flores; the longtime Saints defensive line coach was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2024 before he was fired as part of Doug Pederson’s staff in Jacksonville. He’ll replace Marcus Dixon, who had interviewed for other jobs this offseason after his contract in Minnesota expired.

Nielsen will also be the Vikings’ defensive run game coordinator, while Alexander gets the defensive pass game coordinator title added to his job. Alexander had been Flores’ defensive backs coach in Miami during his final two years as the Dolphins head coach, before moving to Pittsburgh with Flores as part of Mike Tomlin’s staff in 2022. He was the Raiders’ safety coach in 2024 before returning to Pittsburgh as the defensive backs coach in 2025.

Alexander replaces Daronte Jones, who was hired as the Commanders’ defensive coordinator this week. The Vikings could also look for an assistant defensive backs coach to replace Michael Hutchings, who left to become Cal’s defensive coordinator.

Assistant head coach Mike Pettine, who had been with the Vikings since O’Connell took over as head coach in 2022, retired after the 2025 season.

STRIB

The Seattle Seahawks responded Friday night to reports the franchise will be put up for sale after Super Bowl LX.

A spokesman for the estate of late Seahawks owner Paul G. Allen said in a statement to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "We don't comment on rumors or speculation, and the team is not for sale. We've already said that will change at some point per Paul's wishes, but I have no news to share.

"Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months."

ESPN's Seth Wickersham and Brady Henderson reported earlier Friday that the Seahawks will "go up for sale after Super Bowl LX," and that "sale discussions have taken place at ownership and league levels for at least the past week."

Wickersham and Henderson reported that one NFL executive told ESPN the Seahawks would draw in $7 billion to $8 billion in a potential sale.

The Seahawks were valued at $6.7 billion as of last August by Forbes.

The franchise has been owned by Allen's estate since he died in October 2018. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in November 2018 that Allen had planned to have the proceeds from the Seahawks' sale benefit his charity, the Paul G. Allen Foundation.

Estate trustee Jody Allen said in July 2022 that estates the size of Allen's "can take 10 to 20 years to wind down," and that "there is no pre-ordained timeline by which the teams must be sold.".

The Trail Blazers were officially put up for sale in May 2025, and the Allen estate formally agreed to sell the team in September 2025.

The Blazers are now in the process of being sold for a valuation of more than $4 billion to Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.

If the Seahawks are ultimately put up for sale this year, Wickersham and Henderson reported it would be the first immediate sale of an NFL team that had just made a championship game since the Super Bowl era began in 1967.

Bleacher Report