Detroit Lions assistant common supervisor Ray Agnew watches warmup forward of the Washington Commanders sport at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos
The Minnesota Vikings started interviews for his or her open common supervisor submit on Monday, adopted by a request to interview three extra males on Tuesday.
Minnesota’s search now options 9 names, together with a number of assistant GMs from playoff-caliber entrance workplaces.
For now, Rob Brzezinski holds the interim title, however that might change earlier than too lengthy.
Minnesota’s Entrance Workplace Search Will get Crowded
The Vikings’ search has turn into extra expansive.
Detroit Lions assistant common supervisor Ray Agnew walks off the sphere beside offensive lineman Graham Glasgow after apply throughout coaching camp on July 22, 2025, at Meijer Efficiency Heart in Allen Park, Michigan. Agnew stays one of many league’s notable front-office evaluators as Detroit continues constructing round one of many NFL’s deepest rosters coming into the 2025 season. Obligatory Credit score: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos.
Agnew, Burckardt, Smith Enter GM Combine for Vikings
The search is rising. NFL Community‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The Vikings requested interviews with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt and Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith for their general manager job, sources say. Minnesota’s initial round of virtual interviews is underway and the list has now expanded.”
A to Z Sports activities‘ Tyler Forness added, “It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Burckhardt is on the list. The Vikings would have seriously considered Broncos general manager George Paton for the position after being in Minnesota for 14 years, but he signed an extension. His No. 2 is an obvious choice to interview, not to mention spending 13 years with the Vikings himself.”
Who’s Agnew?
Agnew was really 1st-Spherical draft choose as a participant in 1990 — a defensive deal with taken by the New England Patriots earlier than they morphed right into a dynasty.
Right here’s Agnew’s latest employment historical past:
— Los Angeles Rams (2017–2020)Director of Professional Personnel
— Detroit Lions (2021–current)Assistant Common Supervisor
He’s had a front-row seat to the Lions’ turnaround, going from a bottom-dweller and laughingstock to one of many league’s premier rosters and groups within the final half-decade.
How about Burckhardt?
As talked about by Forness, Burckhardt isn’t any stranger to the Vikings, serving in varied capacities from 2009 to 2022, together with these positions:
Operations Intern
Personnel Division Assistant
BLESTO Scout
Space Scout
Professional Scout
Assistant Director of Professional Scouting
Director of Professional Scouting
He adopted George Paton to Denver, participating within the latest transformation when Sean Payton took over three years in the past. Given his background, the person ought to know methods to draft, which the Vikings want.
Minnesota Vikings proprietor Mark Wilf stands in the course of the NFL Annual League Assembly on March 30, 2026, on the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Wilf participated in offseason discussions involving league enterprise, scheduling, and organizational planning because the Vikings ready for one more pivotal offseason that includes roster selections and front-office modifications across the franchise coming into the summer season. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
SI.com‘s Zack Kelberman on Burckhardt, “Burckhardt, a Minnesota native who spent 13 seasons working in the Vikings’ personnel department, is one of multiple candidates for the job. The Vikings also requested interviews with Detroit Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew and Miami Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith. Burckhardt’s candidacy is closely linked to George Paton, who served as the Vikings’ assistant GM from 2007 to 2020 before taking over as Broncos GM in 2021.”
“Paton brought Burckhardt to Denver the following year as director of player personnel, and the latter steadily rose through the ranks. Promoted to assistant general manager in 2025, he now oversees both pro personnel and college scouting.”
And Smith …
The Vikings onboarded Smith as an undrafted free-agent extensive receiver in 2006, sticking round for a couple of months earlier than persevering with his temporary NFL journey. He’s the present assistant common supervisor in Miami, a job he simply obtained this offseason.
Right here’s his resume as an government:
— Washington Commanders (2010–2020)Scouting Intern (2010)Scout (2011–2016)Director of School Personnel (2017–2019)Vice President of Participant Personnel (2020)
— Atlanta Falcons (2021–2025)Vice President of Participant Personnel (2021–2022)Assistant Common Supervisor (2023–2025)
Miami Dolphins (2026–current)— Assistant Common Supervisor
Smith crossed paths with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell in Washington earlier than O’Connell took the offensive coordinator job with the Los Angeles Rams, which later propelled him to the Vikings.
Followers carrying Minnesota Vikings jerseys collect exterior White Hart Lane station earlier than kickoff on Oct. 5, 2025, forward of an NFL Worldwide Collection sport at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Supporters carrying T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson jerseys packed the encompassing streets as Minnesota continued increasing its worldwide footprint with one other abroad look. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos.
A to Z Sports activities‘ Kyle Crabbs on Smith: “If Minnesota ends up sniping Kyle Smith just months into his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, the only thing to do will be to laugh. It’d be a cruel twist for Sullivan to lose his right hand man, especially after the glimpses we got of Smith in the Dolphins’ draft room appeared to show a strong rapport with Sullivan.”
“Smith also impressed during draft weekend for how he handled the press availabilities after Miami’s selections. He’s impressive. And a general manager job feels probable in his future. It shouldn’t be too much to ask from the football gods to request that it doesn’t happen in 2026, though.”
The Full Listing of Combatants
To stage set, right here’s the total checklist of identified Vikings common supervisor candidates:
Chad Alexander (Chargers Assistant GM)
Rob Brzezinski (Vikings Interim GM)
Ray Agnew (Lions Assistant GM)
Reed Burckhardt (Broncos Assistant GM)
RJ Gillen (49ers Assistant GM)
Terrance Grey (Payments Assistant GM)
John McKay (Rams Assistant GM)
Kyle Smith (Dolphins Assistant GM)
Nolan Teasley (Seahawks Assistant GM)
Dave Ziegler (Titans Assistant GM)
On the present tempo, Minnesota ought to have a choice introduced inside per week.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
