Kellen Mond, the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, recently opened up about the tumultuous dynamics within the franchise during the 2021 season, which ultimately led to the firings of head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman. In a reflective LinkedIn post, Mond highlighted how the organizational disconnection affected him personally, revealing that he never had a conversation with Zimmer over the nine months preceding his dismissal.
Mond, drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, expressed his disillusionment with the situation, noting that Zimmer exited the draft room immediately after he was selected and never reached out. He pointed out that both Spielman and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak had wanted him on the team, suggesting that the fractures within the coaching staff were not solely about player capabilities.
The Viking’s 2021 season came to a disappointing close when they were eliminated in a crucial game, which was marred by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ absence due to COVID-19. Despite Zimmer’s push for player vaccinations, Cousins’ refusal sidelined the team and contributed to a lackluster performance. Zimmer opted to start veteran Sean Mannion instead of Mond, who only saw limited action later in the game, resulting in a heavy defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
Critically, Mond questioned the lack of communication between key leadership figures, stating, “Imagine the two most important people in any organization never talking. What happens to that business? It crumbles. And that’s exactly what happened.” He recounted that after the season finale, Zimmer’s absence during a team address was indicative of the disconnect that plagued the organization, further elaborating on a leadership lesson he learned from the experience. Mond emphasized that control over the workplace atmosphere is essential for effective leadership.
As the Vikings move forward under new coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the past tensions serve as a warning. Adofo-Mensah has faced scrutiny for years of poor drafting, while O’Connell’s quarterback development is under a microscope, particularly regarding J.J. McCarthy. Though they have shared press conferences in the past, their recent separate sessions have led analysts and fans to speculate about the state of their working relationship.
Despite any friction that may exist, the path to success lies in performance on the field. With added pressure for a better outcome following the 2025 season, both O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah have the opportunity to learn from prior leadership mistakes and steer the Vikings toward a more connected and effective future.