Vikings Reportedly Signing Mike Zimmer to Multi-Year Extension; is Rick Spielman Next?

The Minnesota Vikings are apparently close to ending months of drama between head coach Mike Zimmer and the team. According to Tom Pelissero the team is keeping Zimmer around by signing him to a multi-year extension.

The #Vikings are finalizing a multi-year contract extension with coach Mike Zimmer, per sources.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2020

A CONSISTENT WINNER

Zimmer boasts one of the best winning percentages as a coach in Vikings history. He is no stranger to wondering about his job security. He was set to be a lame duck coach this year in the final year of his deal. This of course led to some feelings of animosity toward the team.

Six months ago, Vikings owners said they had “every intent” to keep Mike Zimmer “next year and beyond.”

But as training camp looms, Zimmer remains without a contract extension and might have to coach in the final year of his deal. Story: https://t.co/8A8XP7NYOM

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) July 8, 2020

The Vikings have been fairly consistent under Zimmer’s watch, and the defense in particular has remained one of the best in the league. If you remember anything about the Leslie Frazier era, it is easy to see why Zimmer is being retained.

The #Vikings are keeping coach Mike Zimmer around for awhile. They are signing him to a multi-year contract extension according to @TomPelissero

Zimmer is 57-38 with the #Vikings as head coach since 2014.

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 22, 2020

PLENTY OF VARIABLES TO DEAL WITH

Yes I know his playoff record is less than stellar, but look at the other variables Zimmer has had to deal with throughout his tenure here. Teddy Bridgewater’s knee exploded in August of 2017, and Zimmer was able to guide the Vikings to a 13-3 record with the help of Case Keenum. Zimmer almost lost an eye midseason in a different season, and has dealt with just about every sort of disaster in between.

The litany of calamity Mike Zimmer faced (losing Teddy, 5-0 start crashing to an 8-8 finish, Norv Turner's resignation, Zimmer's 8 eye surgeries, losing Bradford/Cook) didn't break him. In fact, it may have been the best thing to happen to the #Vikings https://t.co/JPP9rbeOhS

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 8, 2017

IS SPIELMAN NEXT?

One interesting question this poses is when will Rick Spielman be signed to an extension? The two have been a successful tandem with the Minnesota Vikings, so it makes sense to lock up both long term. I for one am glad Zimmer is sticking around, if nothing else for the fact that he tells it how it is.

"He's a coward. Put that in quotes. He ruined a bunch of people’s
lives, a bunch of people’s families, kids, because he didn’t have enough
nuts to stay there and finish the job. …He's a gutless bastard. Quote that. I don't give a shit."

–Mike Zimmer on Bobby Petrino, 2010

— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) February 7, 2018

Never change Zim

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan