Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talks Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers
What, if anything, can we glean from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's 15 minutes on the podium talking to reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday morning? As is always the case with the sly nature of the NFL, nothing definitive was provided by the Minnesota Vikings general manager – but he may have left a trail of hints.
On Kirk Cousins' future
When asked how to balance paying a quarterback when there are so many other needs on a roster, Adofo-Mensah appeared to give a strong pat on the back to Kirk Cousins while leaving the door open for discussion.
"We talk about necessary and sufficient conditions in math. A necessary condition is having a starter-level QB. A quarterback of above certain threshold," Adofo-Mensah said. "Having a good, level quarterback is a necessary condition. [Kirk Cousins] meets that threshold, so we know that."
"OK, now how do you build the rest of the team around him to make sure you can win in that way?" he continued. "Different quarterbacks require different things around them, but we know that for sure [Cousins] meets that threshold. How long does he meet that threshold? Those are things we gotta answer. Is there a chance to add somebody maybe with different skillsets? Those are all questions we gotta answer, so there's not one right way. But I do know one thing: I know he is good enough. He meets that first threshold and that's a question that a lot of people can't answer with a yes, so we gotta make sure that we treat that in the proper importance that it is."
It's clear that he believes Cousins is good enough, but the key message was Adofo-Mensah asking aloud how long can Cousins be a starter-level quarterback? Cousins is 35 years old and entering the final year of his contract after leading the Vikings to 13 wins, including eight fourth-quarter comebacks.
Adofo-Mensah's answer seems to align with NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero saying Minnesota doesn't want to do a one-year extension with Cousins, leaving them with two options: let him play out the final year or give him a long-term extension.
Noncommittal when asked about Dalvin Cook
A reporter asked him straight up if he anticipates Dalvin Cook returning as Minnesota's top running back next season.
"Starts with having a great player, great leader," Adofo-Mensah began in his response. "In the NFL you have a lot of constrains, salary cap, different things, and we're trying to figure how we can operate in those things, but you always start with a great player, great leader and we'll go from there."
That's all the further that conversation went, leaving Cook's status entering what will be his age-28 season when he's due one of the largest cap hits among NFL running backs up in the air.
Vikings want Dalvin Tomlinson back
"We love Dalvin," Adofo-Mensah said. "Obviously we have a lot of decisions to make so we're trying to buy ourselves a little bit more time. But if he's listening, if he comes back I'll make sure I get him my shoe plug that he always asks me for. He's a great guy, great player. We love him."
Minnesota has until March 15 to agree to a contract extension with Tomlinson. If they don't, he'll become a free agent and $7.5 million in dead money could be added to Minnesota's already-dire cap situation.
Tomlinson, 28, played in 13 games for Minnesota this season, registering 2.5 sacks. His 77.6 pass rushing grade by Pro Football Focus was the highest over a season in his career.
No mention of Eric Kendricks, Jordan Hicks
When asked about the linebacker situation Adofo-Mensah didn't mention veterans Eric Kendricks or Jordan Hicks, both of whom are attractive cap casualties because they carry cap hits of $11.4M and $5M, respectively. If the Vikings cut both by June 1 they will save a $14.5 million.
"We have a lot of confidence in Brian Asamoah," Adofo-Mensah said, while adding that Troy Dye is a "very good player" and William Kwenkeu looked good on special teams.
It's hard to say with any certainty, but if there was a hint to be sold with that answer it was that the linebacker group is going to look a lot different in 2023.
