Vikings request second interviews with GM candidates Ryan Poles, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

KSTP Sports has confirmed that the Vikings have requested second general manager interviews with Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles and Browns vice president of football operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. NFL Media was first with the news.

Adofo-Mensah is expected in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, Poles on Wednesday, for in-person interviews. The first round of interviews was done, via Zoom.

Prior to joining the NFL in 2013, Adofo-Mensah worked as an associate portfolio manager and as a commodities trader. He spent 2013-17 as the San Francisco 49ers Manager of Football Research and Development, 2017-19 as the 49ers Director of Football Research and Development, and since has been the Cleveland Browns Vice President of Football Operations.

Adofo-Mensah graduated from Princeton with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He later went on to receive his master’s degree in economics from Stanford.

Poles has worked his way up the Chiefs’ scouting department from player personnel assistant to executive director of player personnel. He became Kansas City’s director of college scouting in 2017 before ascending to assistant director of player personnel a year later.

Prior to his NFL career, Poles was an offensive lineman at Boston College, blocking for current Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Adofo-Mensah has also been linked to the Chicago Bears’ open GM position, and Poles was a finalist this cycle for the Giants job. He also interviewed last year for the Panthers GM job.

Update: The Bears tweeted that Poles interviewed with them Friday for their vacant GM job.