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Minnesota Vikings Extend Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

Minnesota Vikings Extend Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

Yahoo21 hours ago

The Minnesota Vikings have had a very busy offseason, led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has spent more money on player contracts this offseason than any other team in the league.
Kwesi & Co. used free agency and the draft to filled gaping holes on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines, while adding depth to other positions, like running back and linebacker. They also swapped quarterbacks (again), and talked Harrison Smith into one more year.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, other Minnesota Vikings executives receive contract extensions
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
And now that most of the 2025 offseason moving and grooving is over, the Minnesota Vikings are turning their focus to player development and getting their new team ready for next season, which is the perfect time for the Wilf family to reward Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office staff for their hard work, with fresh contract extensions.
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It's not just Kwesi getting a new deal, though. His right-hand men, Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington, are getting raises and new job titles (Assistant General Managers), as well. News broke of the Vikings' front office contract extensions Friday morning.
Hired during the 2022 offseason, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has taken a lot of heat for the unproductive drafts the Minnesota Vikings have had, since he took over, especially his infamous first class, of 2022, when he drafted Lewis Cine late in the first round, after a lengthy trade-back.
Vikings push chips all-in on Kwesi
There were whispers behind the scenes earlier this offseason that had insiders around the league wondering who exactly is making the decisions for the Vikings. There were even questions surrounding whether it was Kwesi pulling levers, or new assistant GM, Ryan Grigson.
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Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy
Then, Kwesi went home sick during the NFL Draft Combine, leaving head coach Kevin O'Connell to do multiple jobs in Indianapolis (where he flourished). That only added more fuel to Kwesi's rumor fire, after KOC got his extension early this offseason, and Adofo-Mensah was forced to wait..
But all of that seems behind us now. The Wilf family has decided that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is there general manager, both now, and into the future. No matter what growing pains that entails. Is he the right guy for the job, time will tell. Clearly, the Wilfs believe so.

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Aoibhe Landers, named Grace for one day, helps St. Laurence to fourth place in state. ‘Everyone looks up to her.'
Aoibhe Landers, named Grace for one day, helps St. Laurence to fourth place in state. ‘Everyone looks up to her.'

Chicago Tribune

time10 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Aoibhe Landers, named Grace for one day, helps St. Laurence to fourth place in state. ‘Everyone looks up to her.'

PEORIA — Trusting your instinct can take you a long way. That's how it worked out for senior second baseman Aoibhe Landers when it came time to choosing a high school, specifically St. Laurence. Actually, she trusted herself — and best friend Jordan Ogean. 'A lot of our friends we played softball with when we were younger went to Marist and some of the bigger schools,' Landers said. 'Me and Jordan just decided to do something different. 'We liked what coach Teagan (Walsh) had at St. Laurence and we trusted her a lot. But we also had to put a lot of belief in ourselves and work hard.' Saturday, they stood proud after the Vikings finished their season in fourth place at state. The trophy they took home was the first for any girls team in school history. It certainly made things a lot less painful during a 12-0 loss in five innings to Prairie Ridge in the Class 3A third-place game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. 'I'm just proud of our team for never giving up this season,' Landers said. 'I feel a lot of people doubted us, especially in the middle of the season when we had kind of a rough patch. 'But we came out and did the best we could.' Kayla Howard came through with a pair of hits for St. Laurence (23-9) in the setback against Prairie Ridge (29-2-1). Ogean added a single for the Vikings. Landers, meanwhile, wrapped up her softball career with a superb senior season in which she batted .388 with seven doubles, one home run and 36 RBIs. Her stats as a junior were similar, but some fine-tuning made her even more effective. 'She's just that kid who as a junior took the critiques and worked on them in the offseason,' Walsh said of Landers. 'She just bought in. She's that kid who is hitting a thousand balls that we have to tell her, 'OK, you've done enough swings. Now take a break.' 'Aoibhe has always been an above-and-beyond kid. She doesn't do complacency. She wants to one up herself every day. She's her biggest competitor, making herself better and making everyone around her better.' And feeling good about themselves. 'I think Aoibhe sets a good tone for everybody,' Ogean said. 'There is an in-between of having fun but also playing hard. 'If anyone needs to make an adjustment, she'll put it out there in a friendly way. And everyone listens to her because everyone looks up to her. So it works.' Now. The name. It's Aoibhe. It gets noticed. Yes, it's unusual around these parts. But it's a common name in Ireland, where both of her parents grew up. Not many newbies at school would guess correctly that Aoibhe is pronounced Ava. For herself, Ogean knew how to say it before she even tried to spell it. 'We were in first grade, so I basically didn't know how to read,' Ogean said, laughing. 'I didn't know if it was spelled weirdly or not. I think the hardest part was understanding her dad. He has a heavier accent.' There's also another neat story behind Aoibhe's name. 'Funny enough, when I was born, I was Grace for one day,' Landers said. 'But then they changed it to Aoibhe to give me a harder name.' It's now a part of St. Laurence softball history. 'After we won in the supersectional, I was so relieved,' Landers said. 'I remember the next day, Jordan and I got into the car for practice and we were like, 'This doesn't even feel real.' 'We worked so hard for this all season. It feels good.'

Daniel Coyle delivers on mound, at plate as St. Laurence wins Class 3A state title. ‘Live for that type of stuff.'
Daniel Coyle delivers on mound, at plate as St. Laurence wins Class 3A state title. ‘Live for that type of stuff.'

Chicago Tribune

time11 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Daniel Coyle delivers on mound, at plate as St. Laurence wins Class 3A state title. ‘Live for that type of stuff.'

The bat. The ball. St. Laurence baseball history. Daniel Coyle wanted it all in his hands. The junior infielder had not pitched in the playoffs. But he was sent to the mound Saturday with the first state championship in program history on the line. He wouldn't have had it any other way. 'I was a little bit nervous that they wouldn't give me it, but I wanted it so bad,' Coyle said. 'I wanted to finish it. I wanted to bring it home for coach Pete (Lotus) and coach Adam (Lotus).' Coyle then went out and delivered, earning the pitching win and providing the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning as the Vikings beat Benet 8-5 in the Class 3A state championship game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet. South Suburban College commit Enrique Villanueva added two RBIs for St. Laurence (37-5), while Adrian Perez, SSC recruit Ben Geary and Orlando Vazquez each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. It's the third team state championship across all sports for the Vikings, along with a Class 5A football title in 1976 and a Class AA state title in boys wrestling in the 1989-90 season. 'I couldn't picture it better myself,' Coyle said. 'I love it. I live for that type of stuff. 'It just feels good to bring one home finally.' Down 5-2 after three innings, Benet (27-13) rallied and forced a 5-5 tie in the fifth as Josh Gugora came through with an RBI double off Coyle. Coyle didn't have to wait long for redemption. In the top of the sixth, he came up with a runner on second and ripped an RBI double into left field. 'I knew I was going to do some damage,' Coyle said. 'He was leaving his slider up. I saw it up, I just pieced it. That's all I can do. It felt great. 'Having the bat in my hands in that situation, it's awesome.' Coyle allowed one run on three hits and struck out four over the final three innings. He hadn't pitched in the playoffs and hadn't thrown three innings in an outing since an April 29 win over St. Rita, but his coaches were confident Coyle was the one to make history happen. 'He's one of the toughest kids,' Pete Lotus said of Coyle. 'He's never afraid of the moment. We knew that when he was a freshman.' The Vikings added two insurance runs in the seventh on an RBI single from Villanueva and a sacrifice fly from Danny Donovan. In between, Donovan started a fantastic defensive sequence, making a strong throw from the warning track in right-center and hitting junior second baseman Mickey Lotus, who threw out Dominik Tomala at third on a would-be triple. St. Laurence previously had won four state trophies, including three under Pete Lotus, but had yet to grab the big one. Mickey Lotus, Pete's son, was around for some of the near misses. 'I've always wished,' Mickey said. 'I've always dreamed about playing in this game, especially after watching them obviously not succeed. It's so awesome that we're here.' The Vikings had just three seniors in their starting lineup. They came into the spring with several new faces in prominent roles and lost their ace, Louisville recruit Joe Olson, with a season-ending injury before the season began. Yet this was the St. Laurence team to finally break through. 'We said from the start that people might count us out, but we're not going to count ourselves out,' Pete Lotus said. 'We're just going to believe in each other. 'And I think that's what they did better than anyone was believe in each other.' Everyone certainly had faith Saturday in Coyle. 'He's always just been a dog,' Mickey Lotus said of Coyle. 'He's built for those moments. I was talking to him and he wanted the ball. 'He wanted it.'

Minnesota sports teams react to lawmakers' shootings
Minnesota sports teams react to lawmakers' shootings

CBS News

time11 hours ago

  • CBS News

Minnesota sports teams react to lawmakers' shootings

Professional sports teams in Minnesota issued statements Saturday, following the fatal shooting of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. State Sen. John Hoffman and his was were also shot and injured. The NFL's Vikings said they were "shocked and saddened" by the shootings. "Our organization has worked closely with both legislators and appreciated their duties as civil servants," the Vikings wrote in a statement. "These senseless acts should have no place in our communities, our state or our society." Statement from the Minnesota Vikings on the senseless overnight attacks in our community. — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 14, 2025 The NBA's Timberwolves and WNBA's Lynx released a statement through their Community Impact X account about the "tragedy." "As we mourn, we stand in solidarity with all who are affected, and we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a community of unity, mutual respect and peace—where public servants can do their vital work safely and without fear," their post said. MLB's Twins said they were "horrified and heartbroken" in a statement about the shootings. "We stand with all Minnesotans in condemning these senseless acts of violence," wrote the Twins on X. The MLS' Minnesota United FC wrote they were "shocked and deeply saddened" by the events in a statement posted on their X account. "We send hope for healing to the Hortman and the Hoffman families, and join all Minnesotans in condemning these heartbreaking and inexcusable attacks," they were on their post. NHL's Wild wrote their "hearts are heavy with today's tragic news" in a statement. "We send love, strength, and sympathy to all family members, friends, and everyone affected by this senseless violence," said the statement on X. USL W League's Aurora FC said they were "deeply heartbroken" by the shootings. "These are difficult and scary times. No one should feel afraid that they well be targets of violence for who they are, what they do, or where they're from," said their post on X.

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