Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's Paternity Leave in 2023 Reportedly 'Met with Disbelief' from Rival NFL Execs

Former Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah apparently broke the status quo a few years ago for something that would be considered normal in other professions.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis and Dianna Russini detailed an instance in 2023 in which Adofo-Mensah missed about two weeks of training camp meetings and practices while on paternity leave following the birth of his first child. Even though he worked remotely at that time, his decision to be away from the team reportedly caused a stir in league circles.

"Word of his time away from the team traveled quickly around the league. Among some rival executives and coaches, it was met with disbelief," Lewis and Russini reported.

It was also noted that the Vikings "were publicly supportive of Adofo-Mensah's time away." The moment didn't play a part in his firing on Friday following four seasons as the team's GM.

Still, working in the NFL can be very demanding, and the league has created a culture in which missing significant family moments is normalized. Newly hired Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady revealed during his introductory press conference last week that he was coaching a game while his wife was giving birth to their child.

"In an NFL culture where many players, coaches, and executives proudly acknowledge missing the births of their children, taking time away to care for a newborn and support a partner remains uncommon," Lewis and Russini wrote.

After the firing of Adofo-Mensah, longtime Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has been tabbed to run the front office through the 2026 NFL draft.