{"id":535894,"date":"2026-04-02T03:25:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T03:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/535894\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:25:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T03:25:23","slug":"vikings-at-the-nfl-league-meetings-rob-brzezinskis-draft-priorities-and-a-new-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/535894\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings at the NFL league meetings: Rob Brzezinski\u2019s draft priorities and a new center?"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2014 As expected, the Minnesota Vikings\u2019 quarterback room dominated most of the discussion at the annual league meetings. We wrote Tuesday about Kyler Murray\u2019s fit and J.J. McCarthy\u2019s progress<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Co-owner Mark Wilf, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell broached many other topics, too.<\/p>\n

Here is what stood out:<\/p>\n

Rob Brzezinski calling the shots<\/p>\n

The NFL general managers in attendance posed together for a picture<\/a> Monday outside the swanky Arizona Biltmore hotel. Brzezinski didn\u2019t join the group. He remains the Vikings\u2019 interim GM, and neither he nor Wilf went into detail on Brzezinski getting the job full-time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a conversation we will have,\u201d Wilf said. \u201cWe\u2019ll sit down with Rob and see \u2014 just like we will with other candidates. We\u2019ll see where he wants to go and not go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vikings aren\u2019t considering a broader change to their structure, according to Wilf. Whereas other NFL teams have elevated executives to a president of football operations role, Wilf said the team is planning to stick with a traditional general manager who reports directly to ownership.<\/p>\n

What qualities are they looking for in their replacement for the fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah? Wilf didn\u2019t mention personnel background or analytical expertise. Instead, he used the descriptor leader a couple of times, someone who can enter the TCO Performance Center and build consensus with an aligned coaching staff and personnel department.<\/p>\n

After the draft next month, the Vikings will begin a brisk slate of interviews. Wilf said that ownership will drive the process, but chief operating officer Andrew Miller and perhaps members of the coaching staff (such as O\u2019Connell) will provide input.<\/p>\n

Brzezinski and O\u2019Connell have worked closely and effectively in recent months. They share a mutual respect, and together they have tried to establish the clear lines of communication that led to a disciplined approach in free agency. They\u2019ll collaborate before and during the draft. Brzezinski knew he was being cliched when he said execution during those three days is his primary focus. He also swore it was the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a couple of times during this process where I\u2019m, like, \u2018Wow, this is an awesome responsibility that we have right now,\u2019\u201d Brzezinski said. \u201cWe want to get this right. And I believe we\u2019re going to get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Setting priorities for the draft<\/p>\n

In past years, Brzezinski orchestrated trades on draft night. While scouts and other staffers conferred on prospects, Brzezinski would be on the phones, lining up potential avenues to move up and down the board.<\/p>\n

This role will now fall to salary-cap consultant Matt Thomas, senior manager of football administration Emily Badis and director of player personnel Ryan Monnens. That will allow Brzezinski to communicate with director of college scouting Mike Sholiton, O\u2019Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and other stakeholders to ensure they\u2019re all on the same page.<\/p>\n

Every NFL team talks about trying to draft with a best available mindset. Brzezinski also prefers that strategy, but he has also made multiple references to the importance of stacking the draft board objectively. He has learned that teams trying to fill needs will often move up prospects because of the position they play. Why do that when a better player is available at a position you might need next year?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking at this as something that we want to incrementally get better and sustain,\u201d Brzezinski said.<\/p>\n

One way to view the Vikings\u2019 situation is that their decision not to spend excessively in free agency to fill holes puts pressure on them to find clear fits at those positions in the draft. A different perspective? They still have several holes, which means a draft pick at almost any position could make sense.<\/p>\n

Patience is the guiding principle here. It\u2019s the same idea that Brzezinski introduced with free agency. The Vikings were interested in available options at running back and on the defensive line, but when their markets skyrocketed, they held their ground, believing that it would suit them over the long haul.<\/p>\n

No rush to trade Jonathan Greenard<\/p>\n

The Vikings appear to be playing the long game with edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, too.<\/p>\n

They love Greenard. They know how much he matters to Flores\u2019 defense. But they also aren\u2019t afraid to allow a player to explore his market. If another team wanted to pony up \u2014 both a new contract for Greenard and requisite draft compensation for the Vikings \u2014 they would be happy to listen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like we\u2019ve been trying to move him,\u201d Brzezinski said. \u201cThat\u2019s not the case. We\u2019re a much better football team with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell similarly said he expects Greenard to play a major role for the Vikings in 2026, both on and off the field. Other NFL teams could continue to call. The Vikings will keep an open mind.<\/p>\n

If training camp comes and Greenard still wants a reworked contract, the Vikings will look for a solution as they have with core players like Josh Metellus and T.J. Hockenson in previous seasons.<\/p>\n

Blake Brandel the center of attention<\/p>\n

Talk to former Arizona Cardinals staffers who have spent time around Murray, and they\u2019ll reiterate the need for a solidified interior of the pocket. Seeing over offensive linemen is less critical than keeping pressure from affecting his vision.<\/p>\n

The Vikings feel good about their guards, but they\u2019ll have a new center for the third time in three seasons.<\/p>\n

When the subject came up with O\u2019Connell, he brought up Blake Brandel. The Vikings have moved Brandel around for several years. They think his versatility is valuable, but they also understand that keeping him in one role would benefit his development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to do what\u2019s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position,\u201d O\u2019Connell said. \u201cWe want to have him, more than likely, at that center spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brandel played six games at the position last year for the first time in his career. His size and athleticism fit the prototype. O\u2019Connell also noted the number of intriguing available centers in the draft, a confirmation that the position will be a primary target.<\/p>\n

Christian Darrisaw primed for return?<\/p>\n

Sticking with the offensive line, Christian Darrisaw\u2019s health will play a large role in whether we see an offensive improvement from the Vikings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s so impactful,\u201d O\u2019Connell said. \u201cI don\u2019t think we put enough credence and weight into (that position\u2019s) impact, depending on whether they win or lose the snap.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because the Vikings often need time to loosen up split-safety coverage to find superstar receiver Justin Jefferson down the field, left tackle has even more value for the Vikings than most other teams. Darrisaw only played in 10 games in 2025. He didn\u2019t finish four of them. As part of his individual practice plan, he didn\u2019t practice fully during the week, either. Come September, he\u2019ll be almost two years removed from his torn ACL.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell said that Darrisaw is \u201chaving a really good offseason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to do what we think is best to get Christian ready to play 17 games and feel his absolute best,\u201d O\u2019Connell said.<\/p>\n

Minnesota added some insurance in the form of swing tackle Ryan Van Demark. Until the Vikings ink right tackle Brian O\u2019Neill to an extension, tackle depth still looks like a position worth watching.<\/p>\n

Justin Jefferson \u2018a pro\u2019s pro\u2019<\/p>\n

What did Wilf think of the way Jefferson managed the 2025 season?<\/p>\n

\u201cReally professional,\u201d Wilf said. \u201cHe\u2019s a pro\u2019s pro.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilf cited Jefferson\u2019s growth as a leader and said that he and O\u2019Connell had already discussed Jefferson\u2019s readiness for the spring. O\u2019Connell wasn\u2019t asked specifically about Jefferson, but he did refer to him in one of the comments related to the competition in the quarterback room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want the quarterback position to elevate our team,\u201d O\u2019Connell said, \u201cand with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it working the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PHOENIX \u2014 As expected, the Minnesota Vikings\u2019 quarterback room dominated most of the discussion at the annual league…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":535895,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[462],"tags":[5,5046,4,465,466],"class_list":{"0":"post-535894","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl-draft","8":"tag-hockey","9":"tag-minnesota-vikings","10":"tag-nhl","11":"tag-nhl-draft","12":"tag-nhl-entry-draft"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116332981693712672","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=535894"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535894\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/535895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=535894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=535894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=535894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}