Minnesota Vikings Owner and Chairman Zygi Wilf
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Owner Zygi Wilf of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during warmups before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings will have a new general manager for the 2026 NFL season. But no one is quite sure who it will be.
At this point the favorite to succeed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired by the organization back in January, is EVP of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski – the interim general manager who will lead the team through the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
But that is not the only option Minnesota have. And indeed according to Ben Goessling of Access Vikings, the team may also pursue external candidates. One of those who sticks out above the rest per Goessling, is Denver Broncos Assistant General Manager Reed Burckhardt.
Vikings Insider Name Reed Burckhardt as Potential Next GM
“Outside Rob Brzezinski keeping the GM job, Goessling specifically mentions Broncos Assistant GM Reed Burckhardt as a potential candidate.” The Purple Persuasion says of Goessling’s article.
“Burckhardt began his career as a Vikings intern and rose to pro scouting director during his 13 seasons with the team. The Russell, MN native then followed former Vikings assistant GM George Paton to Denver.”
Perhaps to add fuel to the flame, Goeslling also noted that the Vikings Co-Owner Mark Wilf, was in Indianapolis for the combine – perhaps to scout out his future general manager from across the league.
“It’s worth noting that Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf was in Indianapolis for the combine. With the Vikings using a temporary front office structure through the offseason, time on the ground in Indianapolis could be useful for Wilf to conduct team meetings and connect with team and league officials as the Vikings search for a new GM.” Goessling wrote.
Burckhard Could Be a Serious Contender For The GM Position
There is no question that Brzezinski will have the inside track on the race for the permanent general manager position in Minnesota.
Brzezinski has been with the franchise since 1999, where he joined as Director of Football Administration, having worked as a salary cap manager and staff counsel for the Miami Dolphins for six years prior.
He was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Football Administration in 2001, and remained in that role until 2014 when we he was made the Executive Vice President of Football Operations, a position that he has served in for the past 12 years before being made the Vikings’ interim GM.
Burckhardt was moved by former Vikings exec, who ultimately became general manger, Rick Spielman from operations to the personnel department as an intern.
Burckhardt impressed many of the more senior members of the scouting team and the front office with his work-ethic and fixability, working his way up for the ensuing 15 years, before following then newfound general manager George Paton to the Denver Broncos, where he became the Director of Player Personnel before finally getting promoted to Assistant GM in 2025.
15 years of having seen an executive operate could certainly give the Wilfs that feeling of familiarity they crave, whilst also bringing in a rising young star.
We have a way to go before any decision is made, but it is certainly an interesting sub-plot for Minnesota’s offseason.