Former Vikings Quarterback Calls Out General Manager in Eye-Opening Statement
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter has taken issue with the team’s analytics-driven general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. In a recent book by Matthew Coller titled “Football Is a Numbers Game: Pro Football Focus and How a Data-Driven Approach Shook Up the Sport,” Adofo-Mensah candidly shared his use of PFF data to enhance his understanding of the game.
Adofo-Mensah stated, “I use Pro Football Focus to teach myself things that frankly, I didn’t know. PFF really allows somebody to go deep and study that for themselves.” However, Sloter strongly disagreed with this approach, emphasizing the limitations of relying solely on statistics and numbers.
“If this is true, I can’t express how bad of a look this is. Stats and numbers can’t possibly tell you everything you need to know about a game that’s played with heart and passion,” Sloter expressed in a February 6 post. “My eyes can tell you who’s good better than a number can.”
Sloter’s criticism of Adofo-Mensah echoes the sentiments of many fans who believe that the general manager’s scouting is solely based on PFF grades. However, it is important to note that all 32 NFL teams utilize PFF as a tool for various purposes. Adofo-Mensah, a former commodities trader, embraces the abundance of information available to him.
Following Adofo-Mensah’s first draft in 2022, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert highlighted the new organizational structure of the Vikings, which aimed to establish a more collaborative approach. Adofo-Mensah acts as a mediator between scouting and analytics, valuing the input of all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
“He’s so good about listening to everyone and creating consensus,” Vice President of player personnel Ryan Grigson praised Adofo-Mensah. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The broad scope of how many people and different avenues the information comes from… everyone has a voice. And he’s for real with that. Everyone has been involved. That’s been awesome to see.”
In conclusion, the clash between Sloter and Adofo-Mensah highlights the ongoing debate between traditional scouting methods and data-driven approaches in the world of football. While Sloter emphasizes the importance of subjective observation, Adofo-Mensah embraces the valuable insights that can be gained from statistical analysis. The Vikings organization, under Adofo-Mensah’s leadership, aims to strike a balance between these two perspectives to make informed decisions.
GettyGeneral manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, faced scrutiny for his first draft. Many players from that draft class struggled to make an impact in their first two years in the league. Adofo-Mensah joined the organization in February and had to quickly put together a draft. He decided to keep Spielman’s scouting department intact for that year, as they had already put in significant work on the 2022 draft class. While Adofo-Mensah has the final say in the draft, he did not have his own system in place yet.
In contrast, last June, Adofo-Mensah started to build his own staff by adding 10 new hires to the football operations and player personnel departments. This move showed that Adofo-Mensah was taking steps to establish his own team and put his stamp on the organization.
The 2023 rookie class has already shown promise. Wide receiver Jordan Addison, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. have made immediate contributions to the team. Their early success bodes well for the Vikings’ future.
As Adofo-Mensah enters the penultimate year of his contract with the Vikings, this year’s draft will be crucial. A strong draft class will provide the team with the foundation they need to address depth issues and build a competitive roster.
Trevor Squire is a sports reporter covering the Minnesota Vikings.
According to the Source heavy.com