BREAKING: Vikings Make SHOCKING Front Office Hire – Former Browns Exec Gets Unexpected Promotion in Minnesota!

The Cleveland Browns haven’t achieved much under GM Andrew Berry, but two of his former colleagues had a big day, highlighting the growing influence of his coaching tree. The Minnesota Vikings announced they’ve extended the contract of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a former Browns executive. But he wasn’t the only one celebrating.

The Vikings also elevated another ex-Browns staffer, Ryan Grigson, to the role of assistant general manager—a move that caught many by surprise given his history. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, both Grigson and Demitrius Washington, who’ve been Adofo-Mensah’s key aides since 2022, are being rewarded with promotions as the Vikings double down on their front office leadership.

Adofo-Mensah previously worked under Berry as Cleveland’s VP of football operations from 2020 to 2021 before taking over in Minnesota. Grigson, who had stints with the Browns in 2017 and again in 2020–2021, joined Adofo-Mensah in Minnesota as the senior VP of player personnel. Together, they’ve helped guide the team to a 34-17 record and two playoff appearances in three seasons.

Grigson’s promotion is particularly noteworthy given his controversial tenure as GM of the Colts, where he was criticized for failing to build a solid roster around Andrew Luck, whose early retirement at age 29 was partly attributed to poor offensive line protection during Grigson’s time. Now, with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy preparing to take the reins in Minnesota, there’s some concern about history repeating itself—but Grigson won’t be the one calling the shots.

As Adofo-Mensah and Grigson lead the Vikings forward, their success could reflect positively on Berry and possibly open the door for him to get another opportunity as a GM elsewhere, something that has so far eluded him in Cleveland.