Vikings coach Mike Zimmer sounded like a man petitioning for his job after Sunday’s 37-35 win over the Detroit Lions.
He spent a few minutes breaking down the game as a whole, a game in which defense was completely optional. Then, as his news conference wound to a close, launched into a lengthy monologue about why this season was so difficult.
It was a train of excuses from the 64-year-old coach that touched on everything from season-ending injuries to defensive end Danielle Hunter, outside linebacker Anthony Barr, and middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, to defensive tackle Michael Pierce opting out due to COVID concerns.
Surely, there had to be a reason that Zimmer’s precious defense was so stinky down the stretch. It couldn’t possibly be his fault, right?
After trying to explain away all the struggles this season, Zimmer, to his credit, accepted some blame, claiming he needed to be better next season.
He concluded by saying the Vikings probably weren’t good enough to make the playoffs, something that is fairly obvious considering, well, they failed to make the playoffs after finishing 7-9.
“We missed a lot of guys,” Zimmer said. “You know, with the turnover we had, the injuries we had on defense, we weren’t good enough. We fought like crazy, and even though 7-9 is not great, under the circumstances, and everything that went on, maybe it’s the best we could have done.”
It’s almost like Zimmer was trying to suggest that he got the most out of this version of the Vikings, neglecting the fact that they had a legit chance to make the playoffs before losing three of their final four games.
Now, there’s definitely some legitimacy to Zimmer’s list of excuses because it is worth wondering what the Vikings might have looked like with a completely healthy team.
Frankly, the Vikings are a different team with Hunter, Barr, and Kendricks in the lineup, and Pierce is a run-stopper who would have helped cover up other deficiencies.
That’s the biggest reason Zimmer has nothing to worry about heading into this offseason.
While the Vikings will continue to be a team in transition this offseason, making a number of moves in an effort to stay relevant, Zimmer isn’t going anywhere. Not yet, at least.
Heck, the Vikings could have gotten blown out in Detroit on Sunday, and it still probably wouldn’t have been enough to cost Zimmer his job. There are simply too many built-in excuses this season — some valid, some less so — to realistically see the Wilf family moving on from Zimmer at this point.
It’s likely that Zimmer knows his job is safe, even if some of his comments would suggest otherwise. Heck, a few minutes before he launched into his lengthy monologue, he talked openly about his plans for this offseason.
“I’m going to take some time maybe next week and then I’m going to evaluate all the players we have on the team,” Zimmer said. “I’m going to sit down and write evaluations on all the guys.”
He added that he would then sit down with general manager Rick Spielman at some point and figure out where exactly the Vikings need to go.
“I have a decent idea on a lot of the areas right now,” Zimmer said. “We will have to take a look at the salary cap. We will have to take a look at the draft. We will have to take a look at the personnel. And then kind of go from there.”
Spoken like a man with a heck of a lot of job security.
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January 04, 2021 at 06:30AM
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Dane Mizutani: Like it or not, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer isn’t going anywhere - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
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