New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley introduced: His first words to Minnesota fans
New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley introduced
The Minnesota Vikings have officially introduced their next general manager, Nolan Teasley. During a press conference with Vikings owner Mark Wilf, Teasley discussed his background over the past 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, his process-driven vision for the team, and his collaborative approach with head coach Kevin O'Connell. Teasley stated the team is "ready to compete right now" and is ultimately focused on building a roster to win a Super Bowl.
EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings introduced new general manager Nolan Teasley at a press conference on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center.
Nolan Teasley holds first press conference
What we know:
Nolan Teasley made his first remarks in Minnesota on Wednesday after being hired over the weekend.
Teasley joins Minnesota from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks where he spent 13 years, including the last three as assistant general manager. He started as an intern in 2013 and worked all the way up to assistant general manager in just over a decade. Teasley's unique story is that he sent a letter to all 32 teams asking to hire him, and only the Seahawks responded back, granting him an internship to get his start.
Vikings introduce Nolan Teasley as new GM
The Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday introduced Nolan Teasley as their new general manager. FOX 9's Dawn Mitchell was at his news conference.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reacts
Why you should care:
After spending his first four seasons as a head coach working with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O'Connell will now collaborate with Teasley.
Kevin O'Connell on Nolan Teasley: 'He's got all the characteristics'
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with reporters on Wednesday about Nolan Teasley being named the next general manager. O'Connell spoke glowingly of Teasley's experience with the Seahawks, and says they'll work together on building the best roster for the team.
O'Connell knows Seahawks' general manager John Schneider well, and says he has a lot of respect for that organization. O'Connell spoke with reporters after Wednesday's news conference and spoke glowingly of Teasley's experience and background.
"It becomes pretty clear very quickly that the background he’s had within a great organization, we’re always observing the quality organizations in this league. We believe we’re one of them. I think my job is to make sure that I put Nolan in a great position to have success as our leader," O'Connell said. "The collaboration word gets thrown out a lot, but when it works and when it’s something that can be a powerful guiding tool for an organization, relationships grow within that. Nolan has all the characteristics ownership was looking for."
What they're saying:
Here's an overview of what Teasley said at his first press conference.
Roster readiness and competitiveness
The Vikings are 43-25 over the last four seasons, but have yet to win a playoff game under O'Connell. They won five straight to end last season, but missed the NFC Playoffs with a 9-8 record.
"We're ready to compete right now because they've been competitive," Teasley said. "I think I spoke to nine wins last year, five in a row. And we look forward to continuing that consistency."
"Our goals are simple, and we're going to build the deepest, most competitive roster possible so that we can be at our best in December and January and February, and ultimately work toward winning the Super Bowl that this fan base deserves," Teasley said.
Analytics and the evaluation process
"The way that we look at it is that we're going to be guided by evaluation," Teasley said. "We're going to be anchored by data. And then the final piece – as we work through our three pillars of acquisition and evaluation – what's really important is the coach's vision for the player."
"I want to put people in position to do what they do best and then allow them to do it," Teasley said. "And we want to put them in those positions as often as possible."
Leadership and the quarterback position
Teasley will oversee all football operations with the Vikings, working closely with head coach Kevin O'Connell and executive Rob Brzezinski, who filled in as interim GM. Mark Wilf said during the news conference Teasley will have the final say in roster decisions, working closely with O'Connell. Both Teasley and O'Connell will report to ownership, while Brezezinski, who will stay on controlling salary negotiations and the team's cap, will report to Teasley.
Teasley's and the team's first big task is to figure out the starting quarterback this season. The Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason for a veteran minimum deal, and J.J. McCarthy is back for his third season. He went 6-4 as the starter last year.
"As I was raised in this league, the quarterback and the head coach are the two most important people in the building," Teasley said. "And so we're going to build our operation and our foundation around supporting them so that they can be the best versions of themselves at all times."
"When I talked about Kevin being an elevator, I meant just that," Teasley said. "As a play caller, I've admired his career from afar. I think a really good example of that is when he was in Washington and there was a coaching change. He remained in Washington. So people have been seeing what he's capable of for a very long time. Then he goes to LA, had the opportunity to compete against him. And I think he's a premier head coach in this league."
Leaving Seattle for Minnesota
The Wilf ownership group replaced Kwesi Adofo-Mensah with Teasley, largely because he helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl with his role in the front office. Teasley checked all the boxes the Wilf family was looking for in a new general manager.
"It was always going to take a special opportunity to leave a special place in Seattle," Teasley said. "And as I progressed through this process, it became very clear that the Minnesota Vikings were just that."