The Minnesota Vikings are 1-5.
They are in last place in the NFC North.
Zimmer has been frustrated with his team since Week 2 after the team lost to the Colts.
He told the Minneapolis Star Tribune what the team needed to do:
“Figure out what we’re good at and let’s start doing what we’re good [at], Right now, we’re not very good at anything.”
Six weeks later, the Vikings still have not figured out their identity.
So there are a lot of question marks about the future of the players and coaches in 2021 and beyond.
First and foremost, Mike Zimmer’s future is certainly up in the air.
Zimmer’s Record
Minnesota is the only team that has ever hired Zimmer as a head coach.
He has been the Vikings head coach since 2014.
His career record is 60-46-1.
In 2018, Zimmer led the Vikings to the NFC Championship which they ultimately lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
So he has had success in Minnesota.
Possible scenarios for Zimmer after 2020 season
1. The Vikings will retain him as head coach.
Aaron Rodgers says it's "absolutely crazy" to say Mike Zimmer is on the hot seat: "I think he's one of the best coaches in the league and has been for a long time."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 28, 2020
In the “anything is possible” scenario, the Vikings won’t fire Zimmer.
Instead, they will reorganize players and staff for 2021.
Some would argue that Zimmer is missing Kevin Stefanski who was with the Vikings in various capacities from 2006 to 2019.
Stefanski left the Vikings in the offseason to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
2. He will be unemployed.
Mike Zimmer and Vic Fangio will not survive after this season. Would love to see either of them as the next DC in Green Bay if things don’t pan out with Pettine
— Mike Brown (@DieselHokie08) October 25, 2020
Some say he could get his pink slip before the end of the season the way things have been going.
But assuming that he doesn’t get fired until after the season, he will be among several coaches (as is the case every year) seeking jobs.
3. Zimmer could find a coordinator position in the college ranks.
Mike Zimmer is 64 years old and has been in the NFL since 1994.
Possibly he could seek a position in the college ranks which is where his coaching career began.
He worked for Missouri, Weber State, and Washington State before getting into the NFL.
4. He could find a coordinator position at another NFL team.
When Mike Zimmer joins the Saints a defensive coordinator next season >
— Audrey II 🌱 (@dontfeedpigs) October 23, 2020
Zimmer won a Super Bowl as defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
If you’re keeping score which one that was, it was Super Bowl 30 when the Cowboys beat the Steelers.
In fact, he was with the Cowboys from 1994 to 2006.
When he left the Cowboys, he was the defensive coordinator so he rose up through the ranks.
He then took defensive coordinator positions for the Falcons for one season, 2007 before landing as defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013.
5. Zimmer could retire and/or become a TV analyst.
This does seem to be a viable career option for NFL coaches.
Rex Ryan, Jimmy Johnson, and Bill Cowher are just a few coaches who have retired and become TV analysts.
It’s a good job that pays the bills and requires a fraction of the preparation time necessary to be a NFL head coach.
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