Bad News For the Vikings: Their No. 1 GM Candidate Is Staying in Denver

"ESPN's Adam Schefter has the scoop on the Denver Broncos handing General Manager George Paton a new contract that runs through the 2030 NFL season: Source: Broncos and GM George Paton reached agreement on a five-year deal that runs through the 2030 season. pic.twitter.com/u3QiSNTjwH- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026"

"The Vikings began their journey to find a new general manager in earnest after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, which is a weird time to start a front office search. Since firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during Senior Bowl week, Minnesota has made several noteworthy moves. They signed Kyler Murray to be their new quarterback, cut some key players, traded away 2024 Pro Bowl edge defender Jonathan Greenard, and drafted a fresh class of rookies."

"All things being equal, it feels fair to assume that an ownership group would want its GM in place for these major decisions. Perhaps the powers that be in Minnesota believe that not having a GM in charge would make better draft decisions than the guy the team dumped in January. Even if that is the case, it doesn't make it any less odd that a team is doing a GM search right now."

"George Paton has been the Denver Broncos' general manager since 2021. His front office career began with the Chicago Bears as a scouting intern in 1997 before moving up the ranks, first as a pro scout (1998-99) and later as the team's assistant director of pro personnel (2000). After spending some time with the Miami Dolphins as their director of pro personnel from 2001 to 2006, Paton returned to the Bears' division and joined the Vikings. Paton climbed the ladder in Minnesota and had three different titles in the team's front office."

The Minnesota Vikings delayed their search for a new general manager and saw their top candidate sign an extension before any pursuit began. Denver and GM George Paton reached agreement on a five-year deal running through the 2030 NFL season. Minnesota started its front-office search after the 2026 NFL Draft, which came after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during Senior Bowl week. During the period without a confirmed GM, Minnesota signed Kyler Murray as quarterback, cut key players, traded away 2024 Pro Bowl edge defender Jonathan Greenard, and drafted a new class of rookies. George Paton has served as Denver’s general manager since 2021 and previously held multiple front-office roles with the Bears, Dolphins, and Vikings.

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