Vikings are 'keeping the powder dry' with offseason approach
Acting GM Rob Brzezinski talked about the lack of big moves this offseason for the Vikings
By Matthew Coller
Phoenix, Arizona — I’ll be honest with you all: I’ve never heard of the phrase “keep the powder dry” until Minnesota Vikings general manager Rob Brzezinski mentioned it during the owner’s meetings on Monday.
Turns out there are a lot of people who did know what it meant because I got a slew of messages after mentioning on the podcast that I was in the dark on that one.
In case you were like me, here’s where it comes from: Apparently in order to fire a musket, you have to keep the gun powder dry. A Google searched turned up that it’s modern usage refers to “being cautious and prepared for future challenges.
The context behind Brzezinski using that phrase is that he was asked by the media attendees (Purple Insider, ESPN, The Athletic, the Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune) in Phoenix about the team not making many moves in free agency. The only outside free agents the Vikings added were DB James Pierre, T Ryan Van Demark and P Johnny Hekker. The acting GM said he was pleased with the way the team didn’t overreact and make decisions that the would regret.
“I would say that's one of the things that I’m most... proud might not do the right word, but just working through this process, you have a plan, you have a vision, what you're trying to do, what you're trying to achieve, your free agency,” Brzezinski said. “Everything didn't go exactly as planned, and you're trying to pivot. Do you maintain your discipline and still try to be responsible [toward] the sort of vision that you set out? I think we did that this off season.”
The strong indication from Brzezinski’s comments are that the team had opportunities to overspend on free agency and elected not to do that, opting for a more methodical approach that would set them up better for the future without making major sacrifices to the current squad that has been put together over the past few years.
“I think we achieved some really important things that we wanted to achieve,” Brzezinski said. “I think there were some of the things that we could have... forced just to try to... fill another need, and we didn't do that. I feel really good about that, because we don't kick off until September. We have some dry powder. They're gonna be opportunities that present themselves we want to be in a position to capitalize between now and September.”
That comment in particular stood out because he is indicating that the offseason might not be over just because the Vikings didn’t sign players during the first waves of free agency.
Recent history shows that they have been willing to add players in either June around minicamp or during training camp. Last year they signed Carson Wentz in the weeks leading up to the season and in 2024 they were able to woo Stephon Gilmore to Minnesota. Wentz started five games under center and Gilmore started at outside cornerback for the entire 2024 season. Guard Dalton Risner was twice a late add and he ended up as a starter both times. Same goes for veteran corner Fabian Moreau.
If we look at the current available free agent list, there are a surprising number of proven players who are still available — and who you could argue might be good fits for the Vikings under the right circumstances.
Those players include: WR Jauan Jennings, WR Deebo Samuel, WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Keenan Allen, ED Cam Jordan, OL Jonah Williams, DT DJ Reader, LB Bobby Okereke, LB Devin White, CB Jack Jones, S Donovan Wilson, C Ethan Pocic, S Kyle Dugger, OL Mekhi Becton, ED Joey Bosa, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, ED Bryce Huff, DT Shelby Harris, WR Brandin Cooks, CB Marshon Lattimore, DT Calais Campbell, ED Kyle Van Noy, LB Shaq Thompson, ED Leonard Floyd.
That’s a fair amount of talent remaining on the market.
Not to mention that the team could make trades as well.
Speaking of which, Brzezinski addressed reports that edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is on the trade block.
“He's a really important player for us, you know, team leader, team captain,” Brzezinski said. “We want [him] to be a part of this organization moving forward. Now there's economics involved, and you're always working through roster issues all the time, but there's all the speculation about us trying to trade Jonathan Greenard. It's not like we've been trying to specifically move on. That's not the case.”
A person with knowledge of trade conversations said that the offers have been “more in the early Day 3 range” because of Greenard’s desire for a new contract and lack of sack production last season. However, that could change as the draft talks begin to heat up and teams potentially get desperate for pass rush help.
When it comes to the draft, Brzezinski’s credo isn’t much different from his “keep the powder dry” concept with free agency. He reiterated that the team does not want to try to force moves based on having one need or another.
“You have prioritizations that you're trying to focus on, but you can't manufacture what's not there,” Brzezinski said. “So we're just honestly trying to look at the depth of the draft, where we're picking, and who's gonna be there, who are good Vikings fits. Just try not to make it too complicated.”
Brzezinski taking the reins seems to have brought sensibility back to the front office after last year’s spending spree resulted in some of the bigger moves going sideways. The draft approach and the plans for summer acquisitions will likely follow the same lines of making more common sense decisions than “all in” risks. Mark Wilf said in Arizona that he’s been pleased with how things have been handled.
“It's been a strategic off season for us, so a lot of what we're trying to do is look at 2027 and beyond, and make sure of what we're building now and we can sustain. And that's our goal. I feel really good about what we've done to balance that.”
With all the speculation about why Kwesi was fired. the most telling comment from the Vikings front office was Brzezinski quote above: “So we're just honestly trying to look at the depth of the draft, where we're picking, and who's gonna be there, who are good Vikings fits. Just try not to make it too complicated.” Of course he wasn't the only one with input on draft decisions but it seems he was too clever by half. None of us will ever forget that sinking feeling when he traded down in the first round in 2022...it felt immediately like he was driving the team off a cliff.
Great article Mathew 👏 Only one I'm not thrilled with bringing back is Aaron Jones. His better days are in the rear view mirror. Vikings had a definite need to get younger at a few positions. Draft should help that. Getting rid of Hargrave and Allen will help the age drop some on the D-line.