Following their blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday night, Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
For the longtime head coach, this represents the fifth time in eight seasons that his Vikings have missed out on playoff football. That’s an extreme disappointment given the talent level we’ve seen in Minneapolis under Zimmer.
In talking to the media one day after their Week 17 loss, Zimmer was asked about his job status. As is usually the case, the embattled head coach was terse.
“That’s not for me to judge,” Mike Zimmer said when asked whether he was the right man to coach Minnesota beyond the 2021 season. Zimmer also indicated that he was not talked to the powers that be within the organization about his status moving forward.
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Mike Zimmer done with the Minnesota Vikings?
These comments come on the heels of a report this past weekend from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport concluding that Zimmer could in fact be fired. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora followed that up by indicating that the Vikings are having internal discussions about a coaching change.
Ever since earning a spot in the NFC Divisional Playoffs back in 2019, things have been downhill for Zimmer and his Vikings. That includes two consecutive losing seasons.
- Mike Zimmer coaching record: 71-56-1
While that record seems to be pretty darn good, it must be noted that said record included a 13-3 mark back in 2017. Outside of that, Zimmer’s tenure in the Twin Cities has been met with mediocrity. That includes seven wins each of the past two seasons heading into Week 18’s finale against the Chicago Bears.
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The backdrop here is the future of general manager Rick Spielman. It stands to reason that Minnesota will either retain both or fire both. They are tied at the hips at this stage in their careers.
As for Zimmer, it seems that he’s taken on more of an honest approach when speaking to the media. That includes calling out rookie third-round pick Kellen Mond multiple times before opting to start Sean Mannion over Kirk Cousins (COVID) in a must-win game against the Packers in Week 17.
Realistically, it’s possible to read between the lines. Mike Zimmer might already know he’s gone and really doesn’t care any more.
We’ll find out soon enough with Black Monday around the NFL set to come calling here soon.