Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (born May 28, 1981) is an American professional football executive who currently serves as the general manager (GM) of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his analytical and data-driven approach to roster construction and team management, Adofo-Mensah was appointed to the position in January 2022.
Early Life and Education Born in Burlington, New Jersey, Adofo-Mensah attended Princeton University, where he played wide receiver for the Tigers football team. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Princeton. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued and completed a master's degree in economics from Stanford University.
Career Before transitioning to professional football, Adofo-Mensah worked in finance. He spent several years on Wall Street as a commodities trader and portfolio manager, developing a strong background in data analysis and strategic planning.
His career in the NFL began in 2013 when he joined the San Francisco 49ers as a research and development specialist. He quickly ascended through the ranks, eventually becoming the director of football research and development. In this role, Adofo-Mensah was instrumental in integrating advanced analytics into the 49ers' processes for player evaluation, draft strategy, and game planning. His work helped lay the groundwork for a more quantitative approach to football operations within the organization.
In 2020, Adofo-Mensah moved to the Cleveland Browns, where he took on the role of vice president of football operations under general manager Andrew Berry. During his two seasons with the Browns, he continued to refine and implement data-driven strategies for player acquisition, salary cap management, and overall team development, contributing to the team's improved performance.
Minnesota Vikings General Manager On January 26, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their new general manager, succeeding Rick Spielman. As GM, he is responsible for all aspects of the team's football operations, including scouting, player personnel, coaching staff decisions, and strategic planning. His tenure has been characterized by a focus on long-term roster building, managing draft capital strategically, and utilizing advanced analytics to inform key decisions, aiming to build a sustainable competitive team.