Those changes go far beyond QB, though. Brian Flores’ defense, for example, has looked scary good early on at training camp, even making it difficult to judge McCarthy’s development or the readiness of Minnesota’s offense, in general. Except when they choose to run, apparently.

That’s right, the NFL is not ready for what the 2025 Vikings are about to throw run at them over the next 17 games. Behind their heavily reconstructed offensive line, newly added Jordan Mason gives Minnesota a one-two punch with Aaron Jones that we haven’t seen in years.

Come to think of it, the 2025 Vikings could look a lot more like what we saw from the purple early on in Mike Zimmer’s tenure, when they won games via defense and a dominant running game, as opposed to what we’ve seen in O’Connell’s first three seasons as head coach.

Thankfully, no matter what the product looks like on the field, we can be sure that complaints from players behind the scenes will never happen under Kevin O’Connell like they are STILL with Zimmer.

Former MN Vikings QB Kyle Sloter recalls another classic Mike Zimmer tale

This time, it’s former depth quarterback Kyle Sloter who claims that back sometime between when he was signed in September 2017 and when he was released at the end of training camp in 2019 (August 31), the Minnesota Vikings were telling him he needed to play worse during the preseason.

Why? According to Sloter, Zimmer & Co felt like he was making their starting quarterback at the time — who we can only assume was Kirk Cousins, given his mention of guaranteed money — look bad, which was creating unneeded consternation within the organization.

Former #Vikings QB Kyle Sloter claims that he was told by Minnesota that he needed to “do worse” to stay:

“I was told when I was with the Vikings at one point that I needed to do less. That I needed to go out there and do worse in the preseason.”pic.twitter.com/QSeNIbUHGB

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 7, 2025

“I was told when I was with the Vikings at one point that I needed to do less. That I needed to go out there and be worse in the preseason because [my play] was creating an atmosphere that was not what they wanted.

They don’t want competition between a backup quarterback and a starter. They don’t want any controversy, they don’t want those things, especially when you have a lot of guaranteed money on a guy who is going to play no matter what.”

“I have had people tell me that, in order to to make it as a backup in the league year after year after year, you have to play like a backup and it just was never me. It was never me to not go out there and compete.

It was never me to go out there and not feel like, ‘hey, if I’m not the starter my mindset is I’m going to be the starter someday. I’m going to be better than the starter’. And that’s not to say that [I wasn’t supportive of teammates] and understood my position and my role…”

Kyle Sloter

How good was preseason Kyle Sloter with Minnesota Vikings?

It’s true, Kyle Sloter was a preseason MVP during most of his NFL career, especially while in Minnesota. Between 8 preseason games from 2018 to 2019, Sloter threw for 809 total yards, 8 touchdowns and just 1 interception (74.8% completion rate). Kirk Cousins became the Vikings’ QB before the 2018 season.

Sloter Season.@KyleSloter's TD pass to @brandon_zylstra gives the @Vikings the lead!

📺: #SEAvsMIN on FOX
Watch on mobile: https://t.co/uLZtwjkGlI pic.twitter.com/GfDiW7r7h5

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2019

Related: Kyle Sloter Claims Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer Hated Each Other

But let’s remember, this is also the same guy who broke his foot kicking in a door, which cost him all sorts of development. And this isn’t the first time he has opened up about experiences in Minnesota.

In general, Sloter was just as much of his own worst enemy, during his short NFL career, as Mike Zimmer or any other person he believes held him back during his football playing career.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has spoken well of Sloter’s performance in games, but has said he must do better in practice. Zimmer likes that Mannion has some regular-season experience, having played in 10 games the past four years with the Rams, including one start. Sloter has never appeared in a regular-season game.

Former MN Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer – via the Pioneer Press (8/20/2019)

Sloter story doesn’t surprise me

Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me even slightly if Kyle Sloter’s story is true. The Minnesota Vikings had just signed Kirk Cousins and there was no path to playing time. Sloter had plenty of his own issues, but this highlights another problem of the Mike Zimmer era.

Even if Kyle had no path to starting, a high-level organization would want to prop him up and make him look as good as possible, being quarterbacks are so valuable in the NFL.

Related: Justin Jefferson’s House Up For Sale at Bargain Price…

Instead, if Sloter’s story is true, Zim wanted to cut him down at the knees instead. As we would come to find out throughout the Mike Zimmer era, he had a tendency to do that sort of thing, whether it be Sloter, Cousins or Kellen Mond.

Before the regular season kicked off former head coach Mike Zimmer went scorched earth on the Vikings. He came across like a grumpy old man but found a job anyways. It just didn’t last very long.

Dallas Cowboys move on from former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer

After a disappointing season Jerry Jones decided he’d had enough of head coach Mike McCarthy. The Dallas Cowboys promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as his replacement, but the rest staff isn’t staying intact.

Mike Zimmer tells me that he will not be returning to the #Cowboys as a member of Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff and will likely retire from coaching in the NFL.
Zimmer served as defensive coordinator last season. Cowboys likely to hire Matt Eberflus as DC, per sources. pic.twitter.com/MhKp1Lpfkv

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 26, 2025

Zimmer lasted just a single season as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Dallas was 28th in yards allowed per game this season, and they were 29th against the rush. Only the Carolina Panthers gave up more points per game than the Cowboys.

Of course it wasn’t easy for Dallas to compete after getting just eight games from starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Still though, Zimmer wasn’t capable of constructing a unit that earned him enough praise, and now he may retire.

Zimmer finished his eight year tenure as head coach of the Vikings with a 72-56 record. He coached for a total of 23 seasons and spent 15 of those as a defensive coordinator. After a two-year hiatus, Zimmer returned to Dallas for the first time since 2006.

Related: Vikings Linebackers Appear Committed to Minnesota

Even had he not offered the sentiment that the plan is to retire, it’s unlikely the 68-year-old would have had any other suitors. His brash personality has made him tough to work with, and waning coaching abilities weren’t going to open doors.

Kirk Cousins makes it look easy against former Minnesota Vikings head coach

Mike Zimmer spent eight years coaching the Minnesota Vikings. For the last four of them it was Kirk Cousins entrenched as his quarterback. The pair had plenty of moments together. Both highs and lows were experienced.

Minnesota Nice pic.twitter.com/RrrYt9NPW5

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 3, 2024

On Sunday they were adversaries for the first time in their career and the expensive quarterback got the best of the defensive coordinator. The Dallas Cowboys have been riding the struggle bus for much of the season. That’s not great news for head coach Mike McCarthy, and Zimmer’s defense hasn’t been good either.

Related: Report: Minnesota Vikings Newcomer Expected to Make Debut vs Colts

After going scorched earth on his former employer, he may be looking for a new job with few prospects. Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, dispatched the Dallas defense with relative ease. The score was just 27-21, but this one never felt that close.

Atlanta led 21-10 in the third quarter, and 27-13 in the 4th quarter. On 24 pass attempts, Cousins had just five incompletions. He threw for three touchdowns and put up 222 yards through the air. His 144.8 quarterback rating was not far off from a perfect 158.3 mark.

Throw it where they ain't, @KirkCousins8 💰

FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5GoEGj1N5Q

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 3, 2024

Related: Top Cornerback Could Still Become a Minnesota Vikings Trade Candidate

First career receiving TD as a Falcon for @RMIII_34!

FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/3nKR79IcU2

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 3, 2024

After an ugly first game of the season, Cousins has thrown for at least 200 yards in every other contest. He has three touchdowns in three of his last five games, including a 500 yard outburst against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zimmer’s defense recorded just a pair of sacks on the afternoon, but they did recover a Cousins fumble.

Related: NFL Insider Expects Another Minnesota Vikings Trade Soon

Both Cousins and Zimmer could be looking for a new team next year, but only one of them will struggle to find a landing spot. As was the case Sunday, Cousins has performed well while Zimmer has fallen flat.

Former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on the outs?

If you haven’t noticed, the Dallas Cowboys are currently struggling. Mike Zimmer took over as defensive coordinator for Dan Quinn this season. The former Minnesota Vikings head coach is currently overseeing one of the worst units in football. It isn’t going unnoticed either.

Zim coaching style and the Cowboys defensive players don’t align…

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 22, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys believe they are going to win the Super Bowl every year. Similar to the New York Yankees, the national brand is not supposed to struggled. That’s why a 1-2 record having them at the bottom of the NFC East is problematic. Plenty of things have gone wrong, but Mike Zimmer’s defense is amongst the worst of them.

“If I were Dallas, I’d be worried. I don’t know how they stop anybody. They lost their best run defenders. They have a bunch of front-seven players that can’t get off blocks and get knocked back.”

Anonymous evaluator on the Cowboys defense (The Athletic)

“Here is the problem for Zimmer. Everything was positive all the time with Quinn. Now, it feels like everything is negative. He is coming into a place that has been so successful on defense that the last coordinator got a head-coaching job. The new guy comes in and tries to change things, and the players sometimes say, ‘Wait a minute, we won 12 games last year.’ This can become a tailspin.”

Opposing coach on Mike Zimmer’s defense (The Athletic)

These things are legitimate problems for the Cowboys. As The Athletic’s Mike Sando points out, a sizable shift in personality was always going to be a risk for a team that was successful previously. Zimmer will always want to do things his way, but it’s clear that approach isn’t working out of the gate.

Related: Mike Zimmer Embarrassed by His Former Minnesota Vikings OC

Three weeks in is probably too soon to make a drastic change. Time is quickly running out for Zimmer though, and he’s not the type to change his approach.

Just how bad is it for Cowboys Mike Zimmer?

Bad is a general term, but among the worst in the NFL is a reality for Mike Zimmer’s defense. Dallas is 28th in yards allowed. They give up the third most points per game, and no unit has been easier to run against this season. Every aspect of his defense has been a flop.

The Cowboys are allowing a cool 39 DraftKings points per game to the RB position in 2024.

In Week 3, Baltimore didn't even bother running a real NFL offense vs. the boys.

Next up for the Dallas run defense:

The NFL leader in avoided tackle rate

The one

The only

Devin… pic.twitter.com/hm6gbzAfXe

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 25, 2024

Zimmer has traditionally pushed his players to perform better. In a situation like this, it may be on him to get creative and find ways to get more from the assets he has to work with. That hasn’t been his style, and would be a significant deviation to this point in his career. It could also be a job-saving one.

Related: Stefon Diggs Would Never Go Full Mike Zimmer on Vikings Past, “Because I’m a Professional…”

Again, Dallas is not out to settle of be ok with whatever level of mediocrity comes their way. The offense hasn’t been good enough to this point. It won’t matter if they can’t keep up with the points they allow, however.

It isn’t the first time we’ve had that sort of coaching chops in this town, recently. It’s hard to believe now, but it wasn’t that long ago that former head coach Mike Zimmer, was considered one of the top coaches in the league. Opposing offenses could not figure out his defense, especially his A Gap pressure schemes.

But one recurring issue that Zim had to deal with, as Minnesota’s head coach, was a rotating carousel of offensive coordinators. When the Vikings were good, his OCs were hired away. When they were bad, he fired them. And in-between, there were surprise resignations, untimely tragedies and one mysterious Mike Zimmer eye injury.

Fast forward to 2024, Klint is getting another chance as an offensive coordinator, for the New Orleans Saints. How well is his 2nd OC chance going? Well, his new team is 2-0, with one of the best offenses in the NFL, by just about every metric.

Mike Zimmer vs Klint Kubiak

Meanwhile, after a three-year hiatus, Mike Zimmer is back to coaching football, too. He returned to his historic roots in Dallas, when he was hired by Jerry Jones to fix the Cowboys’ defense. After a pretty impressive week one, his old OC’s new team rolled into Jerry World for a week two matchup between two 1-0 teams.

I can only imagine how cocky Zim was, entering Sunday’s game. I don’t think it unfolded as he planned, though. Because the Saints offense dominated the Cowboys defense. Klint’s crew relentlessly went after Zim’s new defense with a perfect mix of run, play action, screen and deep pass plays. It was almost artistic, in nature. And his old coach wasn’t ready.

Same Rashid, different day.

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/Ap2RXdPhew

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 15, 2024

There goes Alvin Kamara for 57 yards!

📺: #NOvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/F0NOkTSZ7g

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Blow, after blow, after blow… the Cowboys defense never got an opportunity to catch its breath. The Saints’ offensive assault was a relentless for 60 minutes. And when the dust settled, a bruised and battered Mike Zimmer left his home stadium after being handed a Texas size, 44-19, L.

Related: Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gets Emotional Talking About Sam Darnold

Dallas’ defense allowed a total of 432 offensive yards to New Orleans, who went 5-of-8 on first downs and averaged an insane 7.7 yards per play. Zim’s defense managed to force two turnovers, but that doesn’t matter when you also allow 190 yards on the ground.

Alvin Kamara with the most Alvin Kamara play ever for his FOURTH TD

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/kQx1vM7g6Q

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 15, 2024

At his head coaching peak, in 2017, Zimmer had Pat Shurmur as his OC in Minnesota… until he was hired away in 2018, to be head coach of the New York Giants. And that is where the Zimmer head coaching tenure started to go off the rails, as he shuffled through a handful of different offensive coordinators.

Zim loses battle of Minnesota Vikings coaches

At one point, Zim hired veteran play-caller, close friend and longtime head coach, Gary Kubiak, to take over offensive coordinator duties. His son, Klint Kubiak, had already been a Vikings offensive quality control coach for a couple of years. Then, when Gary retired from his OC post, after the 2020 season, the job was all but handed to Klint.

Related: Brock Purdy Confirms: Vikings’ Defensive Scheme under Brian Flores.. “Man, it’s Crazy”

It didn’t go well, Klint Kubiak lasted one season as Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator, before he was fired, along with Mike Zimmer, president of football operations, Rick Spielman, and just about every other person involved in coaching or the front office, not named Rob Brzezinski.

But since leaving Minnesota, Klint Kubiak as clearly learned from his past and made himself a better coach because of it. Zim proved in a preseason interview that he doesn’t change… ever. And no doubt, the results from this weekend probably reflect that.

Zimmer called out multiple former associates, during his sit down with Mark Craig (Star Tribune), over the weekend. He fired shots at his former GM Rick Spielman, CB Kris Boyd, QB Kirk Cousins, QB draft pick Kellen Mond and maybe even the Wilfs.

Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd forgives Mike Zimmer

So far, two of Zim’s targets have responded, in their own way. On Saturday, Boyd posted a story to his instagram account that read, “Damn Zim!!?? Out of everybody on the team, I loved you!! Still do, and it won’t change!! You believed in me, and I’m nothing but grateful for it!”

Former #Vikings ace Kris Boyd responds to Mike Zimmer’s comments: pic.twitter.com/vbcM9yZIdu

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 1, 2024

In case you missed it, or don’t remember, Zim singled Boyd out during the interview, as one of the players who talked shit about him, after he was fired by the Wilfs. Craig quoted Zimmer mocking the number of special teams penalties Boyd committed, while he was coaching: ‘Dude, you had more special teams penalties than anyone I can remember’.

Former Vikings QB Kellen Mond not as forgiving

The other public response to Zimmer’s interview came Sunday, from Kellen Mond. He had to read his former head coach admitting to the Star Tribune that he had no interest in drafting him. Zim even revealed how he walked out of the Minnesota Vikings war room the moment Rick Spielman handed in the pick, and didn’t return for the rest of the draft.

Kellen has spoken about the relationship he never had with Mike Zimmer before, but this time he went as far as to say that the two NEVER spoke to each other ONE TIME, in the 8 months he played under him. It’s almost too crazy to be possible, but after reading that interview, I believe it.

Speaking with former #Vikings QB Kellen Mond, he had this to say in response to Mike Zimmer:

“I don’t even know what our relationship was. Never spoke to him one time. The only coach I’ve ever had where his players and peers have 0 respect for him.” pic.twitter.com/S3nscQgtIB

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 1, 2024

“I don’t even know what our relationship was. Never spoke to him one time. The only coach I’ve ever had where his players and peers have 0 respect for him.”

Kellen Mond in response to Mike Zimmer’s interview (via @VikingzFanPage)

It’s too bad Zim continues to shoot himself in the foot. Because he can’t take any responsibility for how things ended with the Minnesota Vikings, he’s losing friendships and killing other important relationships in life.

Related: Local Insider Can See Vikings Drafting Another Top QB in 2025

Hopefully, time heals these wounds too, because Mike Zi

But that all changed earlier this month, when the 68-year-old Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator met with Mark Craig (Star Tribune) for a 1v1 face-to-face interview where Zimmer finally unloaded all the baggage he’s carried with him since the day he drove out of the TCO Performance Center parking lot all those months ago.

Unsurprisingly, the entire interview is can’t miss. It’s worth a free trial at the Star Tribune, or at least, a text message to someone who already has a subscription. As Vikings fans know all too well, Zimmer has never been one to hold back. That was certainly the case in this interview.

New Mike Zimmer tell-all interview is can’t miss

He took shots at former GM Rick Spielman, who he hasn’t talked to since the day they were fired together. Kellen Mond, Kirk Cousins, Paul Allen, even the Wilfs caught some Mike Zimmer strays in this interview. But without a doubt, Defunct CB Kris Boyd took probably the most egregious and direct shot.

When asked by Craig about the multiple Vikings defensive players who publicly turned on him, in the days after he was fired, Zim admitted that the words of Eric Kendricks and longtime cornerback pupil ,Terrance Newman, cut him deep. Boyd, though? Not so much…

Some of the negative player reactions after his firing hardly registered for Zimmer. “Kris Boyd? He says something about me?” he says. “I’m like, ‘Dude, you had more special teams penalties than anyone I can remember.’ ”

Star Tribune

Is Mike Zimmer still bitter? Does a bear shit in the woods? Yes, Zim is 100% still bitter, and confirms as much throughout the interview. Not only does Zim avoid everything to do with his former team, including long-time GM Rick Spielman. Mike admitted he hasn’t watched a Minnesota Vikings game since he left.

Zimmer, Paul Allen no longer friends…

He’s also severed friendships with several people inside the organization, including play-by-play voice and one-time good friend, Paul Allen. The two used to own a racehorse together.

That was until last summer, when PA confirmed on his KFAN Radio show that Zim “snapped” on Kirk Cousins (during their infamous sideline shoving match, back in 2021). After that comment, Zimmer bought Allen out on the horse, and the two haven’t talked since.

“Hey, I pushed Kirk back pretty hard, too,” Zimmer says for the record. “But I just didn’t like what PA said. We’re supposed to be friends. Why you got to talk about me? Unfortunately, I hold grudges. That’s just how I am.”

Star Tribune

Related: T.J. Hockenson’s Return Timeline Clearing Up

Look, if you have a relationship with Mike Zimmer and you consider it important to you, then do not cross him. If you do, even if you think it isn’t a big deal, it’s very possible he will never speak with you again. Paul Allen and Rick Spielman have both found that out.

Zimmer walked out on Rick Spielman when Minnesota Vikings drafted Kellen Mond

Mike Zimmer says in this interview that he wasn’t around for most of day two during the 2021 NFL Draft. Why not? Because, as previously reported, he did not like or want anything to do with QB Kellen Mond.

So, when Rick took the Texas A&M senior with the Vikings’ 66th overall pick that April, Mike got up out of his seat in the Vikings war room and left TCO Performance Center. Read below as he and Mark Craig recall the picks Spielman made without him that day…

“The first round, Rick tried to trade up for Justin Fields, who hasn’t done anything,” Zimmer says. With four third-round picks, Spielman selected, in order, quarterback Kellen Mond, linebacker Chazz Surratt, offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and defensive end Patrick Jones II. Zimmer was there for only the first pick.

“When he picked Mond, I walked out of the room,” Zimmer says. “I left the building. I didn’t even talk to him on the phone.” The two spoke the next morning. “Rick said, ‘You mad at me?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think you took four backups when we had guys there I thought were starters,’ ” Zimmer says. “From that time on, it just kind of got worse between us.”

Star Tribune

Zim then mocked Mond some more. He noted that Kellen only threw three career passes in the NFL, “and two were bad”. The best part about this Zimmer interview is that we didn’t really learn anything new.

All we got was confirmation on all of the reports that came out back then — that Mike and Rick hated each other, that Mike didn’t like Kirk, didn’t want Mond, etc, etc. He pretty much confirms every single one of those reports, then adds his very Zim-like context.

Related: Ed Ingram, Vikings Conjure Up New/Old Excuse for Training Camp Struggles

Again, what is transcribed here is only a small fraction of the gold in this Mark Craig + Mike Zimmer interview. He also talks about how difficult it was losing his son to alcoholism, which adds a large human side to the story too. Must-read, 10/10. I missed Mike Zimmer.

Dalvin Cook set to visit Dallas Cowboys

Earlier this offseason, the Cowboys signed Eric Kendricks. You might remember, he went to a pro bowl and made an NFL All-Pro team in Minnesota. Last week, the Vikings traded Andrew Booth Jr to Dallas, too.

Then on Monday, Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) reports that 29-year-old former Viking, Dalvin Cook, is set to visit the Cowboys now. If signed, he’d become the latest Mike Zimmer era player to join their former coach in Dallas.

The #Cowboys might not be done: Sources say 4x Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook is flying to Dallas tonight for a visit.

Unlike a year ago, when he was rehabbing from shoulder surgery, Cook has hit the weights all offseason and says he feels the best he has in years. pic.twitter.com/jT9Zsf91qB

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings picked Dalvin Cook 41st overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Mike Zimmer and former general manager Rick Spielman were riding high, back then. Cook ran for over 5,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in four seasons, between 2019 and 2022. He also caught 170 passes for 1,399 receiving yards, during that span.

Does the former Minnesota Vikings RB have anything left to give the Cowboys?

That didn’t stop general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah from letting the former Florida State phenom walk in free agency last offseason, where he signed a bloated contract with the New York Jets that ended up being a disaster (67 total carries, 214 yards, 0 TD). He was released on January 2nd, allowing him to be a playoff roster addition for the Baltimore Ravens.

Dalvin Cook finished the 2023 postseason with 67 attempts. He ran for just 244 yards (3.19 YPC) with those opportunities and his carries dwindled as the Ravens playoff run wore on. But there’s no doubt he still looks in shape.

Related: Vikings Place Dalton Risner on IR, Raising More Questions Before Cut Day

And while Zim may not be the head coach in Dallas, he is still in the building. We all know how much Mike liked to ride Dalvin in Minnesota. If the Cowboys sign Cook, we all know what Mike Zimmer’s suggested fix will be, if Mike McCarthy’s offense ever stalls during the upcoming season.

Shortly after the news of Zimmer and Spielman’s termination, players began speaking out about how they felt about the situation. Some players danced around their feelings for Mike, Rick and the Vikings culture as a whole, under that regime.

Eric Kendricks once described Minnesota Vikings as a “fear-based’ organization under Mike Zimmer

Others, however, spoke out more candidly following the firings. One of those players included linebacker Eric Kendricks, who called the Vikings a “fear-based organization” under the former head coach and GM.

Eric Kendricks with some notable comments on the Vikings of late under Mike Zimmer.

Kendricks said there were "some things that were left out there as far as our relationship." Later he added, "I don't think a fear-based organization is the way to go."

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) January 10, 2022

“I feel like there were some things left out there, as far as our relationship was concerned. That’s something you have to ask [Mike Zimmer].”

“A culture where communication is put at the forefront and no matter what your role is on the staff, you having a voice and being able to communicate things that you think could help facilitate wins. I think just having that voice, no matter how big your role is, is important, to listen up and take each other’s feelings into account. I don’t think a fear-based organization is the way to go.”

Eric Kendricks describing the Vikings’ culture under Mike Zimmer

Related: Are the Wilfs Skimping on Vikings Payroll Because of the Soccer Team They Bought?

Reading Kendricks’ quotes from back then, it’s quite clear that he believed there was a serious culture problem under Zimmer and Spielman in Minnesota.

After current Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell was hired, Kendricks immediately raved about what the different perspective and culture O’Connell brought to the team.

In the end, after the 2022-23 NFL season the Vikings decided to part ways with Kendricks, who played a season for the Los Angeles Chargers and now is with the Dallas Cowboys after signing with them this offseason.

Eric Kendricks changes his tune about Mike Zimmer with Dallas Cowboys

Zimmer, who went mostly jobless during the last two NFL seasons off, signed as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, meaning he is linking back up with his former draftee, Eric Kendricks.

Kendricks was recently interviewed by the Dallas Morning News about whether or not he would like to take any of those previous quotes regarding Mike Zimmer’s leadership style back, now that Zim is his defensive coordinator in Dallas. Let’s just say, Eric has quite the different tune about Zimmer now, compared to his comments in 2022.

Former #Vikings LB Eric Kendricks changes tune on former HC Mike Zimmer per @ProFootballTalk.

Kendricks once called Zimmer’s leadership “fear-based” but now says that comment was made when “emotions were high”. He’s “very excited” and said “it’s good to be back with him” 👀 pic.twitter.com/S52eVODQkd

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 28, 2024

“Emotions were high [back then]. We’re very excited [now]. It’s good to be back with [Mike Zimmer]. I love his walkthroughs. I love the little ways he does things, the way he structures things, the level of detail, so I’m excited. I really am.”

“I always appreciated Zim. Just the amount of defense I learned when I was underneath him. The way I watch film, the way we break things down, the install, a lot of things I learned from Zim and we had some good years and I can’t wait to continue that.”

Eric Kendricks – Former Linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings (Dallas Morning News)

Kendricks seems to have a completely different tune regarding his initial comments on Zimmer. He now states that his comments made in 2022 were due to emotions being high. He also expressed numerous times how he was excited to be back with Zimmer and how he approaches the defensive side of the ball.

Related: Could Too Much Torque on J.J. McCarthy’s Arm be a Concern for Vikings?

Overall, it’s unclear if Kendricks truly feels different about Zimmer now or if he just has to say these types of things given he’s the current defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. One thing is for certain, the Vikings culture is certainly different under the current Vikings’ regime.

Of those three head coaches, Mike Zimmer was the most successful at turning one of the worst defenses in the NFL, into a juggernaut. Zimmer also led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game during the 2017-18 NFL season.

Rick Spielman signs Quarterback Kirk Cousins

Coming off a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game after the 2017-18 season, the Vikings believed they were a quarterback away from contending for a Super Bowl.

In March 2018, Spielman made one of the biggest splashes in Vikings history signing former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins to an unprecedented three-year $84 million fully guaranteed contract. The first in NFL history, at the time.

Kirk Cousins' new contract contains the most fully guaranteed money in the NFL ($84 million)

The next-closest current deal contains $60.5 million guaranteed (Matthew Stafford)@Vikings pic.twitter.com/8zZ9UZpGPO

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 15, 2018

Although this was unprecedented at the time, behind the scenes, this is likely when the Spielman and Zimmer relationship started to breakdown. It has been reported that Zimmer never wanted to sign Cousins to that amount of money, and that he wanted to spend that money on the defensive side of the ball. Regardless of what Zimmer wanted, Spielman went ahead and signed Cousins.

Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer “hated each other”

Kyle Sloter, a former Vikings QB, had a couple of stints in Minnesota from 2017-2022. Although he never took a snap in a regular season or postseason game for any team, he did recently appear on the Onebar & Lupagus Show and revealed some insider drama regarding the Spielman and Zimmer relationship.

Related: NFL Draft Analyst Believes J.J. McCarthy Can (and Will) Start for Vikings in Week 1

According to Sloter, Spielman really liked him while Zimmer didn’t during his initial stint with Minnesota from 2017-2019. While the 2021-22 season was spiraling downwards, Spielman and Zimmer seemed to both know that the writing was on the wall for their tenures in Minnesota, and as one last “F*** you to Zimmer”, Spielman brought Sloter back in December 28, 2021. Sloter was later released a few days later on January 3, 2022.

“Spielman really liked me. Zimmer and Spielman hated each other, so Zimmer hated me. They both knew they were getting fired, so when they needed a QB, it was a last F you to Zimmer.”

Kyle Sloter via The Onebar & Lupagus Show

Kyle Sloter on the relationship between Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman:

“Spielman really liked me. Zimmer and Spielman hated each other, so Zimmer hated me. They both knew they were getting fired, so when they needed a QB, it was a last F you to Zimmer.”

(@Matt_Falk) pic.twitter.com/SSWrH0LerL

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 9, 2024

Out with the old, in with the new Minnesota Vikings

Overall, we’ll never really know if this is fully true or not. However, coming from a former Vikings player, their definitely could be some truth to this dysfunctional relationship between Spielman and Zimmer. Sloter isn’t the only former player to hint at this.

True or not, the Vikings relieved Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman of their duties following the 2021-22 season. A few weeks later, the Minnesota Vikings hired current General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell.

Related: JJ McCarthy Takes Part in First Vikings Practice, Followed by Impressive Media Session

The Vikings still have yet to win that elusive first Super Bowl, however, having a head coach and general manager that collaborate effectively with one another is vital for the success of the organization. Good thing for the Vikings is that Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell seem to have the opposite type of relationship as Spielman and Zimmer.

Let’s hope that continues on for a very long time.