Lions Extend LB Jack Campbell
Extension talks between the Lions and Jack Campbell have produced an agreement. The All-Pro linebacker announced on Thursday that he has signed a new deal with Detroit.
The Lions recently declined Campbell’s fifth-year option, but an extension remained the team’s goal in this case. The Lions have since confirmed today’s news of a long-term pact being finalized. Campbell will remain on the books through 2030 as a result of this deal.
This marks the first Lions action with regards to one of their impact 2023 draftees. The team came away with Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch in the first two rounds of the ’23 draft. The team exercised Gibbs’ fifth-year option, buying more time on that front, but off-ball linebacker options are annually declined. Detroit followed suit, but this move differentiates the Lions, as several teams have lost first-round ILBs in free agency after declining an option.
Since the Buccaneers exercised Devin White‘s option in 2022, no team has picked up a non-rush linebacker’s. This has led to subsequent free agency defections from Patrick Queen, Jordyn Brooks, Quay Walker and Devin Lloyd over the past three offseasons. Lloyd and Walker respectively left Jacksonville and Green Bay in March. The Lions’ proactivity with Campbell — whose option, thanks to the NFL grouping rush and non-rush ‘backers together in the option formula, checked in at $21.93MM — will bring a course change at this position and ensure a 2025 All-Pro talent remains in place with the team that selected him.
Detroit drew criticism coming out of the 2023 first round, as both picks went to players at non-premium positions. But Gibbs has become one of the NFL’s most electric running backs; Campbell made 2025 a breakout season. The Iowa product, chosen 18th overall in 2023, zoomed to first-team All-Pro acclaim after finishing the season with 176 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and nine tackles for loss. He became the first Lions linebacker to claim first-team All-Pro honors since Chris Spielman‘s 1991 season. Because of Campbell’s original-ballot Pro Bowl nod, his option number increased to nearly $22MM.
Campbell, 25, has never missed a game as a pro. This ironman run proved tremendously beneficial for the Lions in 2024, when their 15-2 squad lost several defenders — including linebackers Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez — to major injuries. The Lions re-signed Barnes to a three-year, $24MM deal in 2025 but let Anzalone play out his contract. The longtime starter joined the Bucs in free agency. Rodriguez re-signed with the Lions (one year, $2.75MM) in March.
Although the Lions could not negotiate with Campbell on a new deal until January, a re-up has been on the team’s radar for a while. We heard in November a likelihood the team would act here, and steady buzz has built in the months since. GM Brad Holmes called Campbell, Gibbs, LaPorta and Branch priorities in January, and the team has now taken care of one key contractual matter. It would surprise if a Gibbs payday does not follow suit, potentially leaving the Lions with a LaPorta-or-Branch decision. Holmes, however, has done well to extend core players drafted during his tenure.
This Campbell extension follows the deals given to Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, Jameson Williams and Aidan Hutchinson. With Jared Goff also extended, the top of the Lions’ payroll is becoming a bit crowded. Considering the struggles the franchise endured in the period prior to Holmes’ arrival, this represents a good problem to have.
The NFL only features two off-ball linebackers on $20MM-per-year deals — All-Pros Fred Warner and Roquan Smith — while Azeez Al-Shaair ($18MM AAV) and Zack Baun ($17MM) are the only ILBs north of $15MM per annum. This is a good time to pay an inside ‘backer, with the market stagnating during the 2020s. Al-Shaair’s extension earlier this year could certainly be relevant for Campbell, and it would surprise if the ascending player did not join this group as a top-five salary player at the position.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
WR Collin Johnson Retires
Collin Johnson announced his retirement on Thursday. The receiver’s NFL career has therefore come to an end at the age of 28.
“Football has shaped my life in more ways than I can put into words,” Johnson’s announcement reads in part. “It taught me faith, discipline, resilience, leadership, and how to compete at the highest level. I’m thankful for every teammate, coach, organization, and person who helped me along the way.”
Johnson entered the league as a Jaguars draftee in 2020. The former fifth-round pick spent his rookie season with the Jaguars, but only ended up playing one year in Jacksonville. Johnson would go on to see time with the Giants and Bears over the course of his career. The Texas product’s last regular-season game came with Chicago in 2024.
Instead of aiming to land on a roster this summer, Johnson will turn his focus to academic and business pursuits. His announcement states he will enroll at MIT Sloan this fall with the intent of graduating with an MBA. Johnson is the founder and CEO of Beyond-Sports, and his company is set to expand by launching Founders Academy to assist current and former athletes with business ventures.
In total, Johnson made 38 appearances in the NFL. He amassed roughly $3.6MM in career earnings along the way. Attention in his case will now turn to a clearly-defined next chapter.
Vikings Sign DL Isaiahh Loudermilk
Isaiahh Loudermilk is changing teams for the first time in his career. The sixth-year defensive lineman signed with the Vikings on Thursday, per a team announcement.
[RELATED: Vikings Prepare For Second Round Of GM Interviews]
Loudermilk entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Steelers. He handed a 29% snap share as a rookie but did not take on an increased role over time. Ahead of roster cutdowns in 2024, Loudermilk’s spot was in question. He remained in the fold for the final season of his rookie contract but was again used in a rotational capacity.
The Wisconsin product re-signed with Pittsburgh last spring. The 2025 season did not provide a boost to Loudermilk’s value, however. He was limited to just two games after being injured in September. That, coupled with limited production when healthy, contributed to a lengthy stay on the open market in 2026.
The defensive interior has undergone a number of changes in the case of the Vikings this spring. Both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released in cost-shedding moves prior to free agency. They were largely replaced not by other veterans but rather by rookies during last month’s draft. The Vikings added Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange in the first and third rounds of the event, respectively. Loudermilk will spend spring practices as well as training camp competing for a depth role along with the other newcomers.
The Vikings entered Thursday with roughly $11.5MM in cap space. This Loudermilk deal will no doubt check in at or near the league minimum, so it will not have a significant impact on any other roster-building moves made in the near future.
Raiders ‘Counting’ On DE Maxx Crosby To Return By Training Camp
MAY 21: Crosby remains away from the team at this time but he continues to make “significant strides” on the recovery front, SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports. He adds general managers around the league still see a trade in this case as being highly unlikely, so attention will remain focused on a return to practice in Vegas later this offseason.
MAY 20: The dust has settled a bit since Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby took a quick trip to Baltimore. Though several trade rumors have surfaced since then, none have gained purchase, and Crosby appears to be destined to play his 2026 campaign in Las Vegas. With Crosby still working his way back from injury, though, the Raiders are reportedly “counting” on Crosby to be cleared for play by the start of training camp, according to Raiders columnist Paul Gutierrez.
For the second year in a row, Crosby missed the team’s final stretch of games due to injury. In 2025, though, his season-ending absences came with a bit more controversy as Crosby pushed back against the narrative that he couldn’t play to finish out the year. Having played through a knee injury for about a month and a half, Crosby had every intention of continuing to play through the pain, but with a No. 1 overall pick in reach, Las Vegas was taking zero chances.
After getting shut down against his will, Crosby did end up undergoing meniscus surgery, and in the process, the documented surgery results and scans detailed short- and long-term prognoses that would cause eventual controversy and create offseason headlines. While Crosby’s surgeon, famed knee specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, affirmed that Crosby would recover in time to play in 2026, the Ravens expressed concerns about his long-term prognosis and whether the injury might eventually end his career prematurely.
Now, Crosby is back in Vegas, continuing to rehab from the surgery and hoping to be able to return by training camp as his team hopes he will. New head coach Klint Kubiak has voiced a vote of confidence in Crosby, per Gutierrez, telling the media that “he wouldn’t be surprised if Crosby was ahead of schedule.” The Raiders don’t need “ahead of schedule,” though, they just need their star pass rusher back for the push into the preseason as they begin a new era under their rookie head coach-quarterback duo.
Chiefs Viewed As Potential WR Stefon Diggs Suitor
Stefon Diggs remains one of the top free agents on the market. The veteran wideout is among many who will presumably have their next deal in place no later than the start of training camp this summer.
A return to the Patriots (provided they do not wind up trading for A.J. Brown) could be in store, while the Ravens were recently named as a team to watch regarding a receiver addition. The same is also true of the Chiefs, though. Diggs represents one of the options who could receive consideration in Kansas City’s case.
Multiple executives who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora pointed to the Chiefs as a logical landing spot for Diggs. Adding a veteran WR would help alleviate concerns with the team’s depth chart, one which lost Marquise Brown in free agency and did not see any experienced wideouts brought in as a replacement. Kansas City added Cyrus Allen in the fifth round of last month’s draft, but he will of course be expected to handle a depth role.
The Chiefs also have the likes of Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton in place alongside Rashee Rice. Rice’s recent probation violation will result in 30 days of jail time, and his latest legal issue has cast renewed doubt on his future in Kansas City. An extension for the 26-year-old is not being planned at this time. Rice is therefore on track to enter the final year of his rookie contract without clarity beyond that point.
That factor, coupled with Rice’s recent knee surgery, could point further in the direction of a low-cost Chiefs deal late in free agency. The team currently has just under $6MM in cap space, so a splashy signing will not be viable. Adding a veteran such as Diggs on an affordable one-year pact could help stabilize the WR spot, however. The 32-year-old was limited to eight games by an ACL tear in 2024 but he has otherwise topped 1,000 yards every season since 2018.
As La Canfora notes, Diggs’ market has picked up since he was recently acquitted of assault and strangulation charges. A league investigation into the matter is still ongoing, meaning discipline through a fine and/or suspension remains possible. Nevertheless, it would come as little surprise if Diggs were to have his next NFL opportunity lined up by July at the latest. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs make a push to sign him over the coming weeks.
Eagles’ Nolan Smith Arrested For Speeding, Reckless Driving
Eagles outside linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested this past Friday for speeding and reckless driving, as detailed by ESPN’s Tim McManus.
Notes from the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office indicate Smith was traveling 135mph in a 70mph zone on the interstate prior to being stopped at 10:41pm. Smith posted bond shortly after being booked, per the sheriff’s office. A future court date has been set.
Smith entered the league in 2023 as an Eagles first-rounder. He represents one of several former Georgia defenders selected by Philadelphia in recent years. The Bulldogs have developed a reputation for off-field incidents given the number of driving charges in particular which have emerged over the years, although this is the first arrest in Smith’s case.
After operating as a backup during his rookie season, Smith took on a starting role in 2024. The 25-year-old posted 6.5 sacks in the regular season and added another four during the playoffs. Expectations were high after he played a key role in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run, but Smith was limited to 12 games in 2025. He totaled three sacks in that span.
Eyeing an upgrade along the edge after Jaelan Phillips‘ free agent departure, the Eagles swung a trade for Jonathan Greenard. The former Vikings Pro Bowler will be counted on to handle starting duties, and at least a two-year run alongside Smith can be expected. Roughly one month ago, the Eagles elected to pick up Smith’s fifth-year option; he is under team control through the 2027 campaign as a result. Smith will collect $13.75MM that season.
The Eagles will begin spring practices on May 21 by starting OTAs. Those will be followed by mandatory minicamp June 9-10. Smith’s availability on that front will be tied to the timing of his upcoming court date.
Aaron Rodgers Plans To Retire After 2026
It appears Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will ride off into the sunset after the 2026 season. Meeting with the media on Wednesday, Rodgers revealed that he will only play one more year (via Brooke Pryor of ESPN).
“Yes,” said Rodgers when asked if this will be his last season.
It is worth pointing out that Rodgers made similar comments last June, a couple of weeks after the former Packer and Jet ended a protracted trip to free agency to join the Steelers. It was a similarly drawn-out process this spring, but Rodgers finally agreed to return last weekend for a guaranteed $22MM. Rodgers stated that he made the decision after last month’s draft, adding he has been in Pittsburgh since early May (via Pryor). The four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer is now in line to play his 22nd season at the age of 42 (he’ll turn 43 in December).
Rodgers’ respect for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin influenced his decision to sign with Pittsburgh in 2025. The two went on to form a strong connection in a 10-7, AFC North-winning campaign for the Steelers. Rodgers did not resemble his all-world Green Bay self, but he bounced back from a couple of forgettable Jets seasons to win 10 of his 16 starts. He completed 65.7% of passes (in line with his career mark of 65.1), tossed 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, and posted a respectable 94.8 traditional rating.
While the regular season was a success for the Rodgers-led Steelers, the franchise extended its playoff losing streak to seven games. Led by a ferocious defense, Houston went into Pittsburgh in the wild-card round and crushed the Steelers, 30-6. Tomlin resigned shortly after that. It appeared Rodgers would follow Tomlin out the door, but then the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their head coach. McCarthy held the same position in Green Bay from 2006-18. He and Rodgers won their only Super Bowl together, and the QB also took home two of his MVP awards in that span.
Rodgers told reporters Wednesday that he suggested McCarthy to Steelers general manager Omar Khan after Tomlin stepped down (via Pryor). The QB and coach were in communication over the past few months.
“There is a full aspect circle that piqued my interest of coming back,” Rodgers said of reuniting with McCarthy (via Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show).
Tomlin never posted a sub-.500 season in any of his 19 years at the helm, and he ended his Pittsburgh tenure with three straight playoff berths. The Steelers will expect similar regular-season results in McCarthy’s first year and Rodgers’ last, though it will go down as a disappointment if they are once again immediately dispatched in the playoffs. The Steelers have not won a postseason game since January 2017, which has led to increased frustration from their fan base.
With Rodgers’ career nearing an end, the Steelers may have to shop for a starting signal-caller yet again next offseason. That will depend on how much faith they have in 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and rookie third-rounder Drew Allar. Since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 campaign, Pittsburgh has been unable to find a long-term answer at the game’s foremost position.
The Steelers spent a 2022 first-rounder on Kenny Pickett, but he lasted just two years with the organization. After Pickett flamed out, they brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as starting options in 2024. Despite making the playoffs that year, the Steelers were not impressed enough to bring Wilson or Fields back for a second season. That led them to Rodgers, who will go down as a two-year starter for the franchise.
Rodgers will enter his final season fourth all-time in touchdown passes and fifth in both yards and completions. He is 13 TD tosses from 540, which would move him past Peyton Manning for third on the list. He will also have a chance to become just the sixth QB to ever start a game at age 43 or older (via James Palmer of Bleacher Report).
Eagles’ A.J. Brown Talks With Rams Advanced Further Than Negotiations With Patriots
Less than two weeks remain until the A.J. Brown trade window truly opens, with June 2 looming as the point where the Eagles‘ financial burden would ease and create a manageable dead money blow for 2026. However, Philadelphia may not move on immediately after that pivotal date.
The Eagles could certainly hang onto their top wide receiver for weeks or months beyond June 2 in hopes a bidding war drives up the price. Philly has been insistent on receiving a first-round pick in a Brown swap. The most recent known talks with the Patriots — long viewed as Brown’s most likely destination — had not involved a Round 1 choice being proposed. Without other serious suitors, however, New England could keep its price where it is and wait for Philadelphia to relent.
[RELATED: Stefon Diggs Patriots Return Could Hinge On Brown Path]
If talks with the Pats continue down this path, the Eagles will surely reassess other teams’ interest. Revisiting Rams negotiations may be prudent for the seller here, and NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes the Eagles’ talks with the NFC West club advanced further than their Patriots negotiations the first time around.
The Rams entered into Davante Adams trade talks, in a scenario in which Brown would effectively replace the 33-year-old standout, but the accomplished pass catcher remains on Los Angeles’ roster. Uncertainty around Puka Nacua has emerged this offseason as well, with a rehab stint — after a woman alleged Nacua bit her twice, made an antisemitic remark and exhibited “rude or vulgar, threatening, violent, and harassing conduct” — taking place this year. The first-team All-Pro came up as an extension candidate, as this is his contract year, but that noise has quieted. It is worth wondering if the Rams will table that goal for now.
With Adams set to turn 34 before this season ends and both he and Nacua in contract years, the Rams could reengage on Brown, who is controlled through 2029. It would be interesting if the team showed an openness to acquiring Brown without offloading one of its top two wideouts.
The Rams have more than $20MM in effective cap space, with Ty Simpson‘s rookie deal not yet finalized. Brown is tied to a veteran-minimum salary (for cap purposes) but is due a guaranteed $27.45MM option bonus before the season. Brown, who already has a $4MM guarantee for 2027, is due option bonuses worth $19.41MM, $29.36MM and $28.32MM from 2027-29.
L.A. considered Makai Lemon and Kenyon Sadiq at No. 13 before deciding to draft Simpson, who had not been expected to go off the board that early. It would be interesting to see if Brown could represent a method of Matthew Stafford appeasement, as a Nacua-Adams-Brown trio would be on the short list for best in NFL history. Brown would also give the Rams, in theory, a pass catcher to build around beyond this season. It would be interesting to see if the Rams would swing the door open for a Nacua tag-and-trade move in 2027 if they pulled off a Brown acquisition, but some moving parts would come with such a transaction.
The Rams are certainly not shy about trading first-round picks. Les Snead has traded future firsts on five separate occasions over the past decade — with the Jared Goff trade-up preceding the Stafford, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Ramsey and Trent McDuffie swaps — and the team no longer needs to hold its 2027 or ’28 firsts for a quarterback move.
With Stafford going into an age-38 season, it would stand to reason the Rams are open for business with regards to moving a future first to strengthen their 2026 roster. A Stafford extension — which is widely expected — would also reduce the reigning MVP’s cap number ($48.27MM) and increase 2026 flexibility.
Roseman has set a firm asking price of a first-rounder, Garafolo adds. Even though the Eagles’ acquisitions of Lemon, Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks make it quite likely Brown will be moved, the team could hold out in hopes better value arrives in a deal later in the summer. Trade parameters, though, could already be in place with the Patriots. A first-rounder — perhaps in 2028 — should be expected in a deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler said during a 97.5 The Fan interview (h/t Yardbarker), but it is unlikely the Eagles land more than that here. The Eagles had previously hoped for first- and second-round picks for Brown, but Fowler does not expect such a haul to materialize.
Offers have come in for Brown, Bleacher Report’s James Palmer said during an Up & Adams appearance (h/t PhillyVoice.com), but no trade negotiations have taken place recently. That could set up a long ending to this saga, as the Eagles certainly do not have to move Brown in early June.
The Bills also inquired on Brown before acquiring D.J. Moore, while the Ravens — linked to Brown earlier this year — loom as a possible suitor as well. The Chiefs just saw more hurdles emerge for Rashee Rice, leaving Xavier Worthy as the team’s only safe bet to be a notable receiver on their 2027 roster.
Jaylen Waddle fetched first- and third-round picks from the Broncos, and the Eagles assuredly took notice regarding their effort to move Brown. Waddle did not post Brown-like numbers in Miami but was also not seen as a distraction, which Brown certainly has been in Philly.
New England should probably still be considered the favorite here. But the Eagles failing to see a first-rounder put on the table would create an interesting decision for Roseman, given his offseason investments at the position. This saga stretching past early June will be squarely in play in the event unsatisfactory offers continue to emerge.
Chiefs Do Not Have Rashee Rice Extension On Horizon; Latest On WR’s Knee Surgery
Under normal circumstances, Rashee Rice would be a clear extension candidate in Kansas City. But the combination of his injury history and off-field trouble has moved talk of a second Chiefs contract off the radar for the talented wide receiver.
Rice is currently in a Dallas prison for violating his probation terms. A pretrial diversion agreement — reached to resolve eight felony charges stemming from a 2024 hit-and-run incident — had previously set up Rice to choose when he served a 30-day prison term over a five-year period, but a positive THC test scrapped that plan. Rice will not be released until June 16, and a recent knee surgery offers an interesting complication to an already-difficult offseason for the fourth-year pass catcher.
Rice underwent surgery last week, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter confirmed during a Pat McAfee Show appearance, indicating there is “no way” Kansas City’s top wideout would have gone through with the procedure had he known a prison stint was upcoming. Rice was facing a two-month rehab process under normal circumstances, but being in jail to start that period brings a highly unusual complication. Rice, 26, will now be likely to need more rehab time due to this jail stay.
The Chiefs certainly have a history under Andy Reid of showing extreme tolerance for off-field issues, but Rice’s situation does bring new territory. Kansas City’s most notable Reid-era receiver contract did involve a problematic player. Tyreek Hill arrived in Missouri with ugly off-field baggage and ran into more trouble in 2019. After more domestic violence allegations surfaced, the Chiefs barred Hill from their facility. Shortly after the NFL elected not to suspend the star receiver, his off-field trouble allowed for a team-friendly extension to commence. Hill signed a three-year, $54MM agreement before his 2019 contract year.
The Chiefs then traded Hill to the Dolphins in 2022, using the picks package — headlined by Trent McDuffie — to help secure back-to-back Super Bowl wins. The receiver position has been a long-running issue for K.C., post-Hill, however.
Patrick Mahomes won a second MVP award in 2022, but that season required an elite Travis Kelce showing to prop up a Hill-less passing attack. The Chiefs have seen their offense fall well short of their early-Mahomes-years heights in the years since, ranking 15th in scoring in 2023 and ’24 and 21st last season. The team missed on Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore bets following the Hill trade. Rice brought a ray of hope, though, making key contributions down the stretch during his 2023 rookie season.
The second-round pick also showed promise early in 2024 and after a 2025 six-game suspension, but he has proven highly unreliable. Multiple off-field incidents unrelated to the hit-and-run development have taken place as well. Though, Rice only faced charges for the hit-and-run accident.
Missing 13 games in 2024 due to an LCL tear, Rice played just eight games last season. He landed on IR with a concussion after the Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. Rice was then accused of domestic violence via civil suit by the mother of his two children, but the NFL ruled the SMU alum did not violate the personal conduct policy.
That allowed Rice to avoid another suspension, and the NFL does not suspend for positive marijuana tests any longer. But CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes Rice may not be in the clear due to this THC finding violating his probation. It is not certain the league will punish Rice further, but his NFL future is much foggier because of this week’s headlines.
The Chiefs are not planning a Rice extension anytime soon, per Schefter, who adds nothing is on the horizon here. This clouds the Chiefs’ receiver outlook, as Xavier Worthy looks to be the only pass-catching regular with a great chance of being on the 2027 roster. The team re-signed Tyquan Thornton to a two-year, $11MM pact, and while that deal’s $7.4MM guaranteed includes a $2MM 2027 figure, more WR uncertainty is present because of the Rice situation.
Rice does have a chance to reestablish value. Unless the ongoing prison term complicates his surgery rehab to a concerning degree, Rice’s timetable puts him on track to start the season on time. Sustained availability would probably put Rice in play to be a Chiefs re-signing consideration in 2027, with a franchise tag probably in the realm of possibility as well. That would buy the organization more time, but the 204-pound target has a rather significant “prove it” season ahead.
For now, the Chiefs figure to be connected to some of the veteran wideouts available. Hill is among them, though Reid downplayed the prospect of a reunion earlier this offseason. That said, the Chiefs did not draft a receiver until Round 5 (Cyrus Allen). But Rice’s long-term status is on the back burner; how this now-unusual rehab process goes will be part of his route back toward a possible upper-crust second contract — from either the Chiefs or another team.
Vikings Request Second Interviews With Five GM Candidates
The Vikings are making progress in their search for a general manager. The team has requested in-person, second-round interviews with interim GM Rob Brzezinski and four assistant GMs from other teams, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. The list includes Reed Burckhardt (Broncos), Terrance Gray (Bills), John McKay (Rams) and Nolan Teasley (Seahawks).
The Vikings have been without a full-time GM since they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January, which occurred three weeks after the end of a disappointing 9-8 season. Brzezinski, who has been with the Vikings in various roles dating back to 1999, has since guided them through the heart of the offseason. As the Vikings’ executive vice president of football operations since 2014, Brzezinski is a serious candidate for a full-time promotion. Perhaps Brzezinski’s familiarity with Vikings ownership and head coach Kevin O’Connell will tip the scale in his favor.
With help from search firm TurnKeyZRG, the Vikings began looking for Adofo-Mensah’s replacement after last month’s draft. In addition to the names mentioned above, they requested initial interviews with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Dolphins AGM Kyle Smith, Titans AGM Dave Ziegler, 49ers AGM R.J. Gillen and Chargers AGM Chad Alexander. After Alexander withdrew from the race on his own last week, it appears the Vikings have now crossed off Agnew, Smith, Ziegler and Gillen as possibilities.
As for the contenders still competing with Brzezinski, a couple have notable Vikings connections. Before becoming the Broncos’ director of player personnel in 2022, Burckhardt worked in various scouting and personnel roles with the Vikings for 13 years. Gray, who has been with the Bills since 2017, was a college scout for the Vikings from 2006-16.
While McKay and Teasley do not carry past Vikings experience, both are important members of two of the NFL’s best front offices. McKay, now in his 10th year with the Rams, has worked with the Super Bowl-winning tandem of GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay. He is also familiar with O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator from 2020-21. Teasley has served under Seahawks GM John Schneider, a two-time Super Bowl champion, since 2013.