Vikings add ex-Colts GM, Browns advisor Grigson to front office

The Minnesota Vikings have added a new member to the front office.

The team announced Wednesday that former Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was hired to a senior personnel position.

Grigson served as a senior football advisor for the Cleveland Browns the past two years, which overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s time in Cleveland.

Grigson and Vikings Co-Directors of Player Personnel Jamaal Stephenson and Ryan Monnens will all report directly to Adofo-Mensah.

“I am thrilled to add Ryan Grigson to our staff,” Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “During my time in Cleveland, I was immediately drawn to Ryan’s passion for the game, big heart, and reflective wisdom. He is a talented evaluator who brings energy and humor to every discussion. As a former general manager in the NFL, Ryan offers complementary skills to help me in my transition in becoming general manager and brings energy and humor to the room.”

This will be Grigson’s 23rd season in an NFL front office. He was named the 2012 Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year by a vote of his peers. The Pro Football Writers of America also voted him the Executive of the Year.

The Colts didn’t have a losing season during Grigson’s time as general manager from 2012 through 2016. Grigson also has worked in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. He also was a scout for the St. Louis Rams and for the Philadelphia Eagles before rising to the director of college scouting and the director of player personnel in Philadelphia. He’s also worked in Seattle’s personnel department in 2018 and 2019.