When he initially coined the term “competitive rebuild” during his introductory news conference as Vikings general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah couldn’t have known that oxymoron would come to define his tenure in Minnesota.

The concept is rather simple in theory. It’s rooted in an organization making moves to succeed in the short term while simultaneously laying a foundation that can translate to success in the long term. The concept is much more difficult in practice. It’s rare for an organization to be able to thread the needle of living in the present and in the future while trying to chase a Super Bowl in the process.

“We want to get to a place where there’s no rebuild and it’s just competitive in a window,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I think we’re close to that. It’s going to take a big offseason. I’m excited for the challenge.”

It’s not hyperbole to say the Vikings are about to embark on their biggest, most crucial offseason in more than a decade.

Here are some questions the Vikings needs to answer:

Do they want Kirk Cousins back?

The answer is yes in a vacuum. All of the higher-ups from Adofo-Mensah to head coach Kevin O’Connell have expressed their interest in retaining franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins ever since he was placed on injured reserve this season.

“I think I have been pretty consistent with that,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I thought we were playing really good football before he got injured, and it is the most important position in sports.”

It will come down to whether the two sides can agree to a deal. There is likely a number that Adofo-Mensah has in his head, and if he decides to draw a line in the sand during the negotiation process, that dollar figure has to align with the dollar figure Cousins and his agent Mike McCartney have in their heads.

“We have a really great shared history with Mike,” Adofo-Mensah said. “These aren’t new conversations that are happening. Each side kind of understands the other. We’re going to go have those conversations and see where we end up.”

Will they consider a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft?

With the Vikings set to pick No. 11 in the 2024 NFL Draft, there is a chance they finally decide to pull the trigger on a quarterback of the future.

There are a number of premier prospects, including USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, all of whom could be out of the Vikings’ range unless the team decides to trade up. There’s also a number of good quarterbacks in the next wave, including Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

Even if they come to an agreement with Cousins, it seems as if they could have some interest in drafting his successor.

“You want to be thinking short term and long term,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Ultimately the Vikings are going to pursue actions that help us in both windows.”

Where do things stand with Justin Jefferson?

It feels like only a matter of time before the Vikings make star receiver Justin Jefferson the highest-paid player in the NFL at his position. Though the Vikings were unable to work out a contract extension last offseason, it is clearly of the utmost importance this offseason.

It’s likely that Jefferson is looking for a deal that pays him more than Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who gets $30 million per season.

“I had a great dialogue with his representation this morning,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We talked and said, ‘Let’s plan to talk again soon.’ I’m always optimistic about those things. Obviously, we have to address that and a bunch of other things, and I’m looking forward to those conversations.”

Can they afford Danielle Hunter?

The other big-name player who has to be addressed is star pass rusher Danielle Hunter. He had a career-high 16 1/2 sacks this season, and thus, is in position to sign the most lucrative contract of his life. Asked if he has any concern committing so much money to a player who turns 30 years old next season, Adofo-Mensah lauded the way Hunter takes care of his body.

“You’re trying to project how a player’s going to be over the life of a contract,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s really impactful with his sleep and what he does in the offseason and things like that. You walk by Danielle. You understand what I’m talking about.”

The only issue is the fact that other teams across the NFL could be lining up for Hunter’s services.

“We had a great exit meeting,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We will look forward to those conversations.”

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