Wilf's G. M. Search Statement

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2050271766254076129Oh, an interesting watch indeed. Watch the fan base riot.

purplefaithful wrote:

It would not be well received. No sir.

If Grigson is even considered, it just proves the Wilfs are not really interested in a search. They are looking for the familiar safe hire that gets along with the two in control of the football operations, KOC and Flores.

So what happens if this Draft class completely rocks it? Would that mean we're overestimating a GM's impact on a team if drafting is their #1 impact on any organization? Or does it mean the scouting infrastructure is most important with a team religiously following their constructed Big Board by committee? I mean, I'm just wondering exactly what was missed not having a GM if the 2026 Viking's draft class turns out excellent.

So a ton of speculation and really without knowing anything as this process is completely private and I'm sure NDAs are being signed by all that are interviewed. I like that part, its easier for the candidates and the process, but also the eventual hire is just presented and named without a buildup.

StickierBuns wrote:

So a ton of speculation and really without knowing anything as this process is completely private and I'm sure NDAs are being signed by all that are interviewed. I like that part, its easier for the candidates and the process, but also the eventual hire is just presented and named without a buildup.

Yah, no Wilf plane sightings on this one...

My thoughts are 50% Brez and 50% odds on the rest of the field.

Should know in next 7-10 days, I would think

StickierBuns wrote:

So what happens if this Draft class completely rocks it? Would that mean we're overestimating a GM's impact on a team if drafting is their #1 impact on any organization? Or does it mean the scouting infrastructure is most important with a team religiously following their constructed Big Board by committee? I mean, I'm just wondering exactly what was missed not having a GM if the 2026 Viking's draft class turns out excellent.

I asked this question right after the draft. What if we stumbled upon the right way to do this? I think many of us assumed KAM, given his background in analytics (and not scouting), was going to rely heavily on his coaches and scouts for personnel decisions. Done correctly, this could’ve been a nice mix. Maybe Rob is the one to do it correctly. 

Did Wilf's engage an outside executive talent search team before they hired Kwesi? I don't recall.

There are two factors at play here. One is the Rooney Rule...but does it apply to GM's as well as Head Coaches? This explanation pretty clearly says yes:
The Rooney Rule was established in 2003 by the NFL to address the underrepresentation of minority coaches and executives in the league. Named after Dan Rooney, former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and chairman of the league’s diversity committee, the rule ensures that minority candidates are given meaningful interview opportunities for head coach, general manager, and senior football operations positions, without mandating their hiring NFL.com+2. Its goal is to expand the candidate pool and combat systemic barriers in hiring.

Second, if after a thorough, objective evaluation of ALL the best options results in Brez being hired for the position, then nobody can question Wilf's for their decision. Some here (including me) believe that Brez is the most obvious person, but if he comes out on top after this very thorough search, then he passes the acid test.

MaroonBells wrote:

I asked this question right after the draft. What if we stumbled upon the right way to do this? I think many of us assumed KAM, given his background in analytics (and not scouting), was going to rely heavily on his coaches and scouts for personnel decisions. Done correctly, this could’ve been a nice mix. Maybe Rob is the one to do it correctly.

The Great Facilitator, methinks.

Brez is a good guy, but he is not a GM and it would likely end up in drafts like this one where it seems as though the coaches are making the picks. We need a strong, experienced, confident GM who is not going to get overrun by coaches making personnel decisions. It needs to start with removing Grigson and anyone he and Kwesi brought in.

JR44 wrote:

Brez is a good guy, but he is not a GM and it would likely end up in drafts like this one where it seems as though the coaches are making the picks. We need a strong, experienced, confident GM who is not going to get overrun by coaches making personnel decisions. It needs to start with removing Grigson and anyone he and Kwesi brought in.

So you actually WANT a rogue GM. Wow.

Brez is both a football guy AND financial dude. Fans are going to fan, but if it ends up being Brez, to me that's more impressive because I guarantee you now that the Wilfs are going to be on high alert after KAM. These aren't dumb guys, they are going to interview all the candidates with an eye toward more historical and quantifiable success than last time. Brez might hold up against them all, we'll see.

I guarantee you the search firm has different instructions this time.

StickierBuns wrote:

Brez is both a football guy AND financial dude. Fans are going to fan, but if it ends up being Brez, to me that's more impressive because I guarantee you now that the Wilfs are going to be on high alert after KAM. These aren't dumb guys, they are going to interview all the candidates with an eye toward more historical and quantifiable success than last time. Brez might hold up against them all, we'll see.
I guarantee you the search firm has different instructions this time.

In some football ways they are dumb guys, they are not into the workings in the front office because they are always in New Jersey. How do we know they are going to interview all of the candidates because the process is going to be kept secret, until they pick somebody. Another thing, the other day Doogie mentioned that if it is Brez they are also going to or need to hire a sort of mentor to help him with the scouting and other GM stuff. If that is true why add another voice in his ear when there is already KOC and Flores in his ear. It is time for a new voice to lead the front office instead of going with the safe pick they all know.

Meh whatever people are going to speculate regardless

MaroonBells wrote:

So you actually WANT a rogue GM. Wow.

No, but you don't want one that caves to the coaches routinely either because they lack relevant experience for the position and aren't making draft picks or roster moves that are in the best long term interest of the organization. As currently constructed we might as well just make OConnell the GM. Brzez is one of the best at what he does with numbers and contracts and has been around the block a few times, but in no way does that qualify him to all of a sudden be making decisions that really requires a scouting background of some depth. It's like asking the team trainer to one day take over as head coach. We need an outside voice and vision that will work with OConnell, but ultimately isn't tied to OConnell and is going to make decisions in the best long term interest of the organization.

StickierBuns wrote:

So what happens if this Draft class completely rocks it? Would that mean we're overestimating a GM's impact on a team if drafting is their #1 impact on any organization? Or does it mean the scouting infrastructure is most important with a team religiously following their constructed Big Board by committee? I mean, I'm just wondering exactly what was missed not having a GM if the 2026 Viking's draft class turns out excellent.

Blind squirrel theory? Or perhaps stopped clock.😄

supafreak84 wrote:

Boy, you got a hard on for me don't you.
You forgot to mention the main part though...I was right the entire time.

Yeah, they sometimes like to leave out the facts because the facts aren’t usually on their side.

The correct choice in my opinion is Reed Burckhardt, the Broncos Assistant GM. 13 years with the Vikings working his way through the scouting ranks - an actual long time talent evaluator. He’s been George Paton’s right hand man. For once, let’s bring someone in with scouting experience/talent evaluation. He’s young and ready and been around some great GM’s.

He’s a far superior pick over the salary cap guy in my opinion.

Grigson sucked in Indy, no thanks.