Rob Brzezinski is a top candidate for the Vikings’ GM job, and it’s easy to see why he has so much support
The general manager search for the Minnesota Vikings is advancing, and there is a big question surroudning Rob Brzezinski.
The first external name the Minnesota Vikings want to interview for their general manager vacancy was revealed in Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as Gray spent 11 seasons with the Vikings.
There will be many more candidates that the Vikings will bring in to discuss their future general manager job. It’s far from a surprise that Gray is on the list, and it emphasizes the fact that the Vikings are looking at candidates with a scouting background.
While there are some interesting angles to look at from a short and long-term perspective, there is one that hovers above them all: Rob Brzezinski.
Vikings interim GM Rob Brzezinski has a lot of internal support
How serious Brzezinski is as a candidate will play out over time. However, it’s obvious with public perception is that they believe in Brzezinski. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis confirmed that in his piece discussing the position.
The Wilfs selected Brzezinski as the interim general manager in late January, hoping he would stabilize the relationship between the personnel department and the coaching staff. He accomplished that task. Brzezinski worked with O’Connell and Flores to produce a draft that went mostly according to plan.
Brzezinski’s decades of experience command respect. He also operates with awareness and feel, traits that are appreciated by those on the football operations and business sides.
He has never advocated for power. Handling some of the more front-facing parts of the job isn’t his ultimate sell. More than anything, many staffers believe his knowledge of the team’s past and present structures makes him an ideal candidate for the full-time job.
Alec Lewis
The Athletic
When you look at how the Vikings view Brzezinski internally, it’s not a surprise he’s a candidate. Brzezinski has been in the organization since 1999, and owners Zygi and Mark Wilf love having continuity in the front office. That has arguably been the biggest criticism of the Wilf’s as owners, wanting to keep that stability in the organization.
The real question is whether or not Brzezinski will be a real candidate for the job, or be considered for a higher position where the general manager reports to him. It would allow him to continue doing the great salary cap work he’s already doing and have a more traditional scout handle the personnel decisions.
Either way the Vikings choose to go, they will more than likely have Brzezinski at the top of the organization in some way, because there is a ton of respect there.