Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf and Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf consistently emphasize positive, people-first culture, and their efforts aren't taken for granted.
The Vikings recently ranked No. 1 overall in an NFL Players Association survey taken by players all across the NFL.
Mark Wilf spoke with Vikings Entertainment Network's Gabe Henderson during this week's Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, and said he'd been proud to see the survey's results.
"I think it's kind of a capstone to a lot of investment. But it's also testament to the people in our building," Wilf told Henderson. "We want to make sure that we're a world-class, first-class operation, and this is a testament to it.
"But we're never going to rest on our laurels," Wilf added. "We're always going to make sure to keep moving, and whether it's [Head] Coach [Kevin] O'Connell, [General Manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah], our training staff, our equipment room – every part of the building is going to tell the whole world, 'We're number one.' And hopefully that will translate onto the field, as well."
Wilf and representatives from the NFL's other 31 franchises convened Sunday in Phoenix for meetings that will wrap up Tuesday.
View photos of the Vikings 2023 coaching staff.
Kevin O'Connell - Head Coach
Brian Flores - Defensive Coordinator
Wes Phillips - Offensive Coordinator
Matt Daniels - Special Teams Coordinator
Mike Pettine - Assistant Head Coach
Imarjaye Albury - Defensive Assistant
Brian Angelichio - Tight Ends/Passing Game Coordinator
Lance Bennett – Defensive Quality Control
Thad Bogardus - Assistant Inside Linebackers
Ryan Cordell - Pass Game Specialist/Game Management Coordinator
Dalmin Gibson - Assistant Special Teams
Pat Hill - Assistant Defensive Line
Michael Hutchings - Assistant Defensive Backs
Daronte Jones - Defensive Backs
Chris Kuper - Offensive Line
Keenan McCardell - Wide Receivers
Curtis Modkins - Running Backs/Running Game Coordinator
Derron Montgomery - Quality Control - Offense
Chris O'Hara - Quarterbacks
Justin Rascati - Assistant Offensive Line
Chris Rumph - Defensive Line
Mike Siravo - Inside Linebackers
Mike Smith - Outside Linebackers/Pass Rush Specialist
Tony Sorrentino - Assistant Wide Receivers
Grant Udinski - Assistant Quarterbacks/Chief of Special Projects
Topics discussed over the three-day span include potential rule changes for the upcoming season, continued focus on player health and safety, and various partnership changes – such as NFL Sunday Ticket moving to YouTube TV.
"Some things stay the same, but some things change. For one thing, we're all getting a little older. I can't believe it's coming up to our 19th season now," Wilf laughed. "But seriously, there's always new talent, new ideas coming in, and these meetings are always helpful to get best practices from other clubs, see what's going on that we can maybe be a little bit better in our fan experience and share with others the great stuff that we're doing."
Though the Vikings 2022 season came to an end sooner than hoped, Wilf noted plenty of positives to take away from O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah's first seasons as head coach and general manager, respectively.
"It was a heck of a year. Thirteen wins, [11] one-score game victories – an NFL record – and biggest comeback in NFL history. So, a lot of great things," Wilf said. "And I think that's a testament to how [O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah] operate. They communicate, they're positive, the culture has totally transformed in the building, and I think that's going to carry over here into 2023."
View home and away photos of the Vikings 2023 regular season schedule.
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 13 | BYE
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
Wilf said he's excited about Minnesota's free agency moves thus far, as well as the upcoming NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 27-29.
He also called it a "bittersweet time" for the franchise, as the team parted ways with players like Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks.
"Great Vikings players who will go down in our history as great Legends," Wilf said.
"But just re-signing some of the guys we have, some of the free agents, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and bringing in [Defensive Coordinator Brian] Flores, [who has] a lot of energy – a lot of young players who are going to step up now," Wilf said. "It's their time, and I think the world's gonna be much better on the defensive side this year."
