It’s the new year so it is time to amp up the speculation as to which NFL coaches are about to lose their jobs.
One coach is believed to have his fate very much up in the air.
He is Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Vikings are in a wait-and-see position with Zimmer.
Mike Zimmer's fate in Minnesota has not yet been decided with two games remaining, per @RapSheethttps://t.co/HDKBCerOs9 pic.twitter.com/BOduJH8d3W
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 2, 2022
The Vikings In 2021
The good news is that the Vikings are in second place in the NFC North.
The bad news is at 7-8, they are 5 games behind the division-leading Green Bay Packers who are 12-3.
Their remaining two games are at Lambeau against the Packers (on Sunday Night Football in Week 17) and the Chicago Bears in the season finale.
The Vikings have very slim playoff hopes, but they begin with the team winning both of its remaining regular-season games and hoping for some outside help.
Winning against the Packers will be a tall order without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
If the Vikings miss the playoffs, Zimmer’s job could be in jeopardy.
Zimmer’s Career At Minnesota
Coach Zimmer has been with the Vikings for eight seasons beginning in 2014.
The Vikings made the playoffs three of those seasons, in 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Zimmer and the Vikings had their best season in 2017 with Case Keenum as the quarterback.
The year is 2017. Covid-19 did not yet exist. Case Keenum throws an absolute BOMB to Stefon Diggs for what would be known as the Minneapolis Miracle. Ah, the good old days. https://t.co/ebBh3I4rYQ
— The Purple Sack (@ThePurpleSackMN) March 24, 2020
After Keenum connected with Stefon Diggs to win the “Minneapolis Miracle” wildcard game over the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Zimmer does not worry about the talk concerning his coaching future.
Mike Zimmer: “I’m on the hot seat?!” 😂 pic.twitter.com/FGllAGNuB0
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 22, 2021
He welcomes adversity.
“I love being doubted, I love to prove people wrong.”
“I love being doubted, I love to prove people wrong” -Mike Zimmer
How can you not want this man leading the #Vikings ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uIN37eyZXA
— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) December 31, 2021
Conclusion
Of course, this is just speculation.
There have been rumors that Chicago Bears Coach Matt Nagy was being fired midseason around Thanksgiving.
That never happened.
Zimmer has delivered two playoff wins during his tenure with the Vikings.
Whether that is enough to satisfy Vikings ownership as they watch the Packers run away with the division is yet to be determined.
NEXT: Vikings Lose Key Player With Playoff Hopes On The Line