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The Minnesota Vikings have fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to multiple media reports Friday, ending his four-season tenure heading the team’s football operations.
The move was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and confirmed by other outlets including ESPN and CBS Minnesota, citing league sources familiar with the decision.
Adofo-Mensah, 44, took over as general manager in January 2022, replacing Rick Spielman after a front-office overhaul that also brought in head coach Kevin O’Connell. During his time in Minnesota, the Vikings compiled a 43-25 regular-season record and reached the playoffs twice, though the team did not advance past the first round.
Less than a year ago, the franchise signed Adofo-Mensah to a contract extension, a move that made Friday’s surprise decision all the more unexpected.
The firing comes nearly four weeks after the Vikings finished the 2025 season with a 9-8 record, missing the playoffs. Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff have faced scrutiny over roster decisions, including the team’s quarterback situation and free-agency moves.
At the time of his dismissal, Adofo-Mensah was attending Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., as part of the team’s evaluation process for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Vikings did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Friday. Search for Adofo-Mensah’s successor is expected to be a major offseason storyline as Minnesota heads into free agency and the draft.
Adofo-Mensah’s firing marks one of the more significant mid-winter front office changes in the NFL and adds uncertainty to a franchise still seeking deeper postseason success.
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Hermantown seniors McCaffrey, White earn MSHSL Triple A recognition
Hermantown High School seniors Jack McCaffrey and Molly White have been recognized as the school’s 2026 Triple A Award winners, honoring their achievement across academics, athletics and fine arts through the Minnesota State High School League.
The Triple A Award — short for Academics, Arts and Athletics — is one of the League’s most prestigious recognitions, given annually to one senior boy and one senior girl from each Minnesota high school. Each school’s selections advance to section-level consideration, with a limited number of students ultimately named state winners.
McCaffrey was selected as the Section 7AA Triple A winner and will advance to the state level, where winners are typically recognized during the Minnesota boys basketball state tournament in March.
“MSHSL Triple A honors one senior boy and one senior girl who show excellence in athletics and fine arts,” Hermantown Activities Director Alex White said. “Both Molly and Jack submitted applications and were selected from Hermantown, and their applications went to Section 7AA, which Jack won and will advance to the state level. The last time we had a student advance to the state level was in 2010.”
Molly White, who plans to pursue aerospace engineering in college, said her academic interests grew from a longtime fascination with science and space.
“I want to go to college and major in aerospace engineering,” she said. “It’s like planes and rockets, flight. I’m not sure yet — specializing in astronomical rockets, space. I’ve had this passion for astronomy, and I also like math and science, so it sounds like a perfect fit. I want to focus on rockets or satellites. It’s my dream to work at NASA.”
White said she also enjoys computer science and has begun learning to code. At Hermantown, she has been involved in Knowledge Bowl, Math Team, soccer, alpine skiing, band and public relations activities.
She said the school’s activity culture stood out when she moved to Hermantown as a fourth grader.
“I moved here in fourth grade from Wisconsin and remember being surprised by the high number of activities and clubs Hermantown has,” White said. “I’ve tried to take advantage of it. The people are so passionate. I’ve been part of great teams and met a lot of great people.”
White described the student body as supportive and diverse in its interests.
“There are so many great people with a wide variety of interests,” she said. “That’s what makes the student body great — everyone succeeding in different ways. People try things, and they support and encourage each other.”
McCaffrey’s resume reflects a similar breadth of involvement. A left guard on the football team, he also participated in track and field, trap shooting, choir, band, pep band and pit orchestra for the fall musical. He is a member of National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout.
“Hermantown is a great place for people who enjoy learning and want to participate,” McCaffrey said. “I really liked football, and the culture in sports is top-notch. I’ve always been interested in music, too.”
McCaffrey plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he intends to major in social studies education and sing in the UMD choir. He said he is finished with competitive sports and plans to live on campus during his freshman year of college.
Winning the Section 7AA Triple A Award prompted reflection.
“When I first found out, I was in shock,” McCaffrey said. “It made me look back on all that I’ve done. It was a goal I had. I was at a loss for words.”
He credited Hermantown’s teachers and coaches for helping prepare students beyond high school.
“It’s amazing,” McCaffrey said. “The teachers are great. They look out for all the students and prepare us for the real world. Same thing with the coaches — they truly care about their players.”
He also pointed to family support as central to his involvement.
“I do a lot of things because it’s stuff my parents have done, and I want to be like them,” he said. “They’ve always supported everything I’ve done. When I want to do something, they find me the opportunity to do it.”
The Triple A Award program, administered by the Minnesota State High School League, recognizes seniors who maintain strong academic performance, participate in League-sponsored athletics and fine arts or activities, and demonstrate leadership and character in their school communities.
Each Minnesota high school may nominate one male and one female senior. From those nominees, section and state-level selections are made, with state winners typically announced in March.
For Hermantown, the recognition underscores the role of a broad activities program in shaping student experience.
“Participation in activities builds leadership, teamwork and confidence,” Alex White said. “Jack and Molly represent exactly what the Triple A Award is meant to recognize.”
State Triple A winners for 2026 are expected to be announced in mid- to late March.
