The Minnesota Vikings are coming off an improbable run to the NFC Divisional Round this past season, defeating the NFC-favorite New Orleans Saints in overtime in the Wild Card Round. That surely would be enough incentive for the Vikings brass to give head coach Mike Zimmer a contract extension, right? Wrong!
Even with his success as the Vikings' sideline boss, Zimmer has yet to be given a contract extension this offseason, and his future beyond 2020 is shockingly in flux. With so much time to act, this is a massive mistake by the Vikings.
Prior to his arrival in Minnesota, Vikings fans had to endure an abysmal tenure by pervious head coach Leslie Frazier, who led the squad to a 21-31-1 record in four seasons. But once Zimmer signed on to be the new coach for the Vikings, the team drastically improved.
Zimmer has posted just one losing season with the Vikings, which came in a respectable 7-9 campaign in his first year. But after that, Zimmer has done nothing but win. The Vikings clinched two NFC North titles and reached the playoffs three times in his six-year tenure. His grand accomplishment came in 2017, when Zimmer reached the NFC Championship Game with Case Keenum under center, who orchestrated the "Minneapolis Miracle" against the Saints in the Divisional Round.
Most importantly, Zimmer helped turn the Vikings into a top-10 defense in the entire league for the majority of stint. Admit it, you selected Minnesota's defense in your fantasy football draft. You can thank Zimmer for that.
It's simply mind-boggling that the Vikings won't lock in their most successful head coach since Dennis Green. Zimmer deserves better than this, and you best believe the Vikings will regret it if they opt to move on from him in 2021.