EAGAN, Minn. — Nolan Teasley was introduced as the Minnesota Vikings’ new general manager Wednesday, and owner Mark Wilf used the event to clarify the team’s front office structure as reporters pressed the organization on who ultimately will make roster decisions. “Nolan is,” Wilf said, adding that Teasley has final say on the 53-man roster while still expected to lean heavily on head coach Kevin O’Connell and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski.
Wilf said both Teasley and O’Connell will report directly to ownership. Brzezinski, who served as the team’s interim general manager for four months this spring, will report to Teasley. “That’s the structure,” Wilf said. “That’s the way it is. [But] if it comes to structure, we’ve got a problem. The end result is making sure leaders collaborate, work together.”
The Wilfs have long emphasized a collaborative approach to leadership at the franchise, a method the owner said is inspired by their family real estate business. The model has at times favored the most dominant personality, the team noted, with examples including Rick Spielman’s promotion to general manager in 2013 and the growth of O’Connell’s influence during the four-year tenure of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired in January.
Brzezinski is the team’s longtime contract negotiator and salary-cap analyst. He interviewed twice for the permanent GM job and temporarily filled the general manager role this spring. Teasley referred to Brzezinski as the “ultimate team player,” and O’Connell called him a “pivotal part” of the organization; on the organizational chart, Brzezinski will be a subordinate to Teasley.
Brzezinski did not comment at Wednesday’s press conference but released a statement Monday saying, “This organization means so much to me and my family, and I take tremendous pride in being a part of the Minnesota Vikings.” Wilf characterized his remarks as one of the clearest explanations in his 21 years of ownership for how multiple leaders will work together with a designated tiebreaking authority.
