Mike Zimmer, Vikings Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
The Minnesota Vikings rewarded head coach Mike Zimmer with a new contract on July 28, after he led the franchise to its first NFC North title since 2009 last season.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman noted extension talks with Zimmer started after the postseason ended, adding "there is no doubt Zimmer is going to be our coach for a long time."
Vikings principal owner Zygi Wilf issued a statement included in the release announcing Zimmer's extension:
Mike has instilled a very positive atmosphere over the past three years, and our players have thrived under his tutelage and leadership. His focus on helping our players develop and maximize potential, individually and collectively, is critical for our current and future success. We believe the continuity established with Mike leading our football team is a very positive step for our organization.
Zimmer has done a terrific job in two seasons leading the Vikings. They went 7-9 in 2014, despite starting rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and only having Adrian Peterson for one game. Last year, the Vikings won 11 games for the first time since Brett Favre took them to the NFC Championship Game in 2009.
Minnesota's 2015 season ended in heartbreak with Blair Walsh missing a 27-yard field goal in a 10-9 loss against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card Round.
In a recent interview with Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Zimmer laid out where he thinks the team is at heading into 2016:
We learned how to win last year. I think we handled winning good. Obviously, we were able to win the division. But every team is different. So when you [look at] this team, there could be a lot of variables. We've got some new guys that will probably be playing. But we've got a good nucleus of guys coming back that know how we have to play. Part of things I've done [during spring workouts was] to try to teach them about who we are and how we have to play.
The Vikings did not have to go through a long rebuilding process to find success. Zimmer's steady hand and a lot of shrewd roster moves brought them back to the top of a division that also includes the Green Bay Packers.
Giving Zimmer an extension now is a sign from the front office it likes where the team is headed. There is still work to be done for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl, but their head coach's strong leadership has them on the right path to success.
