Interviews continue in Vikings’ search for next GM, head coach

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon looks on during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 8, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.  ((Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))

As the NFL Playoffs move into Divisional Weekend for both the AFC and NFC, the Minnesota Vikings ownership group continues its interview process for both the next general manager and head coach.

The Vikings’ ownership fired both Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer after the team missed the NFC Playoffs for the second straight year, and third time in the last four seasons. Thursday morning, the team confirmed it held an initial interview with Eliot Wolf for the GM position.

Wolf is the seventh candidate to interview, and is currently in his second season as a scouting consultant for the New England Patriots. Wolf has been in the NFL since 2004, when he started as a pro personnel assistant with the Green Bay Packers. Wolf spent 13 seasons with the Packers, and was the team’s director of football operations for the 2016-17 season before leaving to be the assistant general manager for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and 2019.

The Vikings have also held initial interviews with Ryan Poles, Brandon Brown, Monti Ossenfort, John Spytek, Catherine Raiche and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for the GM position. 

VIKINGS INTERVIEW GLENN COOK FOR GM POSITION

The Vikings confirmed on Thursday they held an initial interview with Glenn Cook for the general manager position. Cook is the eighth and last known candidate the Vikings requested to interview.

Cook is currently the vice president of player personnel for the Cleveland Browns, and has been with Cleveland since the 2016 season. He started his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts as a scouting assistant in the 2011-12 season, and spent four years as a scout for the Packers.

Cook also played linebacker for four years with the Miami Hurricanes. Now, we wait to see who the Vikings' management team brings back for more interviews to get a clearer picture which direction the franchise is headed.

VIKINGS INTERVIEW EAGLES DC JONATHAN GANNON FOR HEAD COACH POSITION

The Vikings confirmed on Thursday they held an initial interview with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon for the head coaching job. Gannon just finished his first season as defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, and has NFL experience in 14 of the last 15 seasons.

That includes a four-year stint with the Vikings, from 2014-17, as an assistant defensive backs coach. Gannon started his NFL career in 2007 as a defensive quality control coach with the Atlanta Falcons.

Gannon is the fourth candidate to interview for the head coach position. Wednesday night, they held an initial interview with Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Vikings have also interviewed Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, and Packers' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Moore has been with the Cowboys since 2018, starting as a quarterbacks coach before spending the last three seasons as offensive coordinator. Dallas had the No. 1 offense in the NFL in total yards this season.

Moore was a quarterback for six seasons in the NFL from 2012-17, three each with the Detroit Lions and Cowboys. His only game action came with the Cowboys in 2015. He played in three games, starting two, with 61 completions for 779 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Vikings reportedly have also requested interviews with Todd Bowles, Kevin O’Connell and Raheem Morris.