On thin ice for much of this season, Mike Zimmer is not expected to receive a ninth year as Vikings head coach. Minnesota is expected to move on from its longtime HC after Week 18, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.
This situation was headed toward this conclusion for a bit now, with the Vikings’ past two losses likely sealing the defensive-minded coach’s fate. Ownership nearly canned Zimmer after the Vikes’ run to the divisional round in 2019, so it was going to be tough for the 65-year-old HC to withstand back-to-back losing seasons.
While the Vikings have made the playoffs three times under Zimmer, his abrasive style has worn on the team, La Canfora adds. The team’s two Kirk Cousins contracts have not produced the desired results, with the high-priced quarterback set to finish 1-for-4 in playoff berths under Zimmer. The Vikings advanced to the postseason in 2015 with Teddy Bridgewater at the controls and reached the 2017 NFC championship game with Case Keenum. Zimmer’s defenses were in better shape during those seasons; injuries limited the Vikings’ defensive capabilities over the past two years.
A longtime defensive coordinator, Zimmer had the Vikings perched as a top-10 scoring defense from 2015-19. Over the past two seasons, however, the team has fallen off that pace. Going into Week 18, Minnesota ranks 25th in points allowed and 31st in total defense. The 7-9 squad has been without Danielle Hunter for most of this season and lost Everson Griffen in November. Hunter missed all of last season as well. Zimmer would likely be a strong DC candidate elsewhere if/once the Vikings pull the trigger on firing him.
GM Rick Spielman‘s status is less certain, but he should be expected to return. Spielman has been with the Vikings since 2006, lasting through the Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier and Zimmer tenures. Although the Vikings could start fresh with a new GM, Albert Breer of SI.com notes Spielman is expected to remain with the team — be it in his current role or in another executive position. La Canfora also hears Spielman is not viewed as a chopping-block candidate. Spielman, 59, could be in position to select the next Vikings GM, in a scenario similar to how the Broncos transitioned from John Elway in that post last year.
Should move on from Spielman as well.
Why? He keeps drafting talented players. Justin Jefferson, Stephon Diggs, Dalvin Cook, etc. Not his fault Zimmer couldn’t make do with a talented roster.
You named three guys going back seven drafts. That’s not the most ringing endorsement.
How many do you have to name. If the coach won more games the team would get more recognition. Pro Bowlers H. Smith, Kendricks, Barr, X. Rhodes, Hunter, Griffen were also all drafted by Spielman. The Vikings have a top 10 qb that durable and if he had a better coach would’ve won more games. If your D is lacking, score more points, go deep instead of running it up the middle.
OK, but the cornerbacks, pass rush, and offensive line have all been thin and insufficient. That’s why you can’t judge years of drafting by a few stars. Whole position groups have been disappointing AND lacking in depth.
That’s lack of coaching, lack of scheming and lack of good play calling. The Eagles are in the playoffs. Do you think that team is more talented than the Vikings? Look at the Saints, playing a 4th string qb and still in the hunt. Give me a break. Its coaching thats the real difference.
The Saints might have the best offensive coach in football. I’m not saying Zimmer has coached up his talent, but it’s not all coaching. Come on.
Look at how well Mike Hughes is playing. The same guy but in a different scheme. That says a lot.
As a Packers fan, let me be the first to thank Coach Zimmer for all his contributions to the “W” column.
Pretty sure Zim did pretty decent against GB.
He was 7-8-1 against the Packers.
As a Viking fan, one thing Zimmer did okay was beating the packers. A few more games the Vikings should’ve won but you can thank the Bears and the refs against Detroit for more of your wins.
I know we’re piling on Zimmer, but for the most part, he was a good coach. He just ran out of answers the last two years.
This is similar to what’s going on with the Bears. Why would you keep a GM who’s track record is worse than the coach he’s firing?? Pace’s record is 48-66 and it looks like he’s staying too. Spielman’s record may be better than Pace’s, but 3 coaches in and neither one has taken the next step.
Until they upgrade at QB, it doesn’t matter who they bring in to coach.
Who’s the upgrade? Seriously, who is definitively better than Cousins that you’d bring in?
Watson or Wilson (ARod isn’t happening)
Gonna cost a lot for either but Vikes are in win now mode.
Watson/Wilson is not going to help matters. The defense has declined in recent years, while the offensive line has remained a disaster. Watson and Wilson have both had trouble elevating their teams in similar situations. Thus, it would not be worth the substantial capital necessary to acquire those aforementioned signal callers for what would be only a marginal improvement.
Sure, Cousins doesn’t exactly have the clutch gene. However, he carries way more blame than he probably should. The head coach, offensive line, and defense need to be held responsible as well
That is precisely why the clutch gene is so important to have in your QB. He has to be able to reach back and find that something extra when the performances of the: head coach, OC, DC, offensive performance, defensive performance, play calling, play execution by the players, the defense of the opposition come up SHORT.
While that may be true, even the best quarterbacks can’t do anything without a reliable supporting cast. Just look at Russell Wilson; ever since the defense declined, the Seahawks haven’t exactly been stellar in the postseason.
Like I said, Cousins isn’t a top tier QB. However, he’s not nearly as bad as he’s made out to be and as AK mentioned, they’d be hard pressed to find a viable replacement this offseason. The draft class looks mediocre, they’d have to surrender too much for a Watson/Wilson type, and it’s not like Rodgers is going to walk into the lockerroom
I like Watson but that’s a crap shoot, he’s probably going to get punished sooner or later
Anyone whose stupid beliefs don’t keep him in quarantine during a must-win game.
Let’s keep this civil; I support vaccines, but I don’t want this to become a non-football debate
I’m with you Wagner, but he let the team down by not doing everything he could to be available and show more leadership. I do very much appreciate his honesty though.
Non sense. Cousins is solid. The Vikings need a better coach.
Not a big loss for vikings .zimmer has always been overrated as has his quarterback is.
Spielman there since 2006? What has that accomplished? He also sucked in Miami.
He’s the greater liability. He doesn’t know how to manage the cap and believed stockpiling 7th round picks would improve the team.
At least Zimmer has his hot,young GF to keep him “busy”.
That’s probably where his mind has been since he began dating her and why the team has languished.
I just don’t know if Spielman is a problem or not.
He has made his share of draft BUSTS, but were those choices made based on him?
How much influence was from: scouting, head coach, coaching staff, owner, etc…
It’s not always as simple as axing the GM. If they are going to can Spielman, too bad they didn’t dump him while Paton was still in their house to succeed him.
Zim will be ok, he’ll land as a DC somewhere then take out his frustrations on the players.
Zimm needs to get out on the ranch and get healthy. The guy has added a ton of weight in the last few years. He will also need the time to help find little Zimm and Kubiak jobs. Hiring those two were a big reason this team tanked this year. He should have picked better, more experienced coaches. He may not be on the unemployment line tomorrow if he had.
Love it
Hope they also move on from their quack ass QB.
Vikes are stuck with him for 2022.
$35,000,000 GUARANTEED Salary.
$10,000,000 PRORATED BONUS
$45,000,000 CAP HIT
$45,000,000 DEAD MONEY
$196,469,288 TOTAL CAREER EARNINGS (Incl 2022)
Still can’t afford a clue. Go figure.
Zim isn’t the answer in Minnesota. Too much talent squandered on that roster.
Vikings and Bears should just trade HC’s.
I dont want Nagy. He should’ve played Foles when Dalton got hurt. Fields wasn’t ready.
Yeah keep the guy who extended Kirk Cousins twice that makes total sense.
Why do people attack cousins?
He’s a good qb, maybe top 10 in league.
It’s hard to argue this based on his stats alone, but the guy just isn’t a winner.
What’s his record in prime time games? How about playoffs? Is that worth $45 million guaranteed (or the $90 million the first contract)?
They need to fix o-line, but the offensive is fine.
Cousins is underrated. Cook still cookin. Theilen and Jefferson are scary 1-2 with Osborn as the 3rd.
Defense hasn’t been able to catch up to offense. Yea they’ve had injuries, but everyone deals with that. For a defensive coach I would expect more talent finding, development, and just coaching better with what you got.
Cleveland desperately needs a change at DC..