How Long is Mike Zimmer’s Leash?
Kirby O'Connor
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Prior to the start of the 2020 NFL season, I wrote an article about how Vikings fans should temper their expectations for the coming 17 weeks. My main reasoning behind being ready for disappointment was that the wide receivers lost a ton of talent (Diggs), the defensive backfield has an entirely new look, and the offensive (and defensive) lines got worse from an already mediocre 2019.
Despite these lowered expectations, the season has gone even worse than planned. Injuries are already a big problem with Danielle Hunter on IR for at least the next week, Anthony Barr (presumably) out for the rest of the season, and Pat Elflein on IR. The last one almost seems like a good thing, but we’ve already seen from Dru Samia that it can in fact get worse.
In my original article, I stated that I felt the future of the Vikings organization was very bright, but 2020 was not going to be their year. I seem to have, unfortunately, been right. So, the question becomes, how long of a leash do you give to Zimmer?
Looking at Zimmer first, his career record as a head coach is 57-40-1 for a career winning percentage of .587. His playoff record is 2-3 with the farthest his team has reached being the ill-fated 2017 NFC Championship game.
If you’ve been following the Vikings since Zimmer’s tenure began in 2014, you will be familiar with his pattern. One good year followed by a disappointing year. 2020 fits the pattern after the Vikings went 10-6 last season and captured Kirk Cousins’ first playoff victory.
Zimmer’s calling card has always been his defense’s performance. In his first season in Minnesota, despite inheriting a defense that he had very little hand in building, he improved the Vikings from the second worst in the league (in terms of yards allowed) to the 14th best.
Only two games into this season, Zimmer’s defense has already had their worst performance under him in terms of points, 43 given up against Green Bay in week one. They also are the NFL’s fourth worst defense in yards allowed and second worst in points allowed.
Now, it’s not all the defense’s fault, the offense has been terrible despite putting up 34 in week one. However, you have to judge Zimmer for both groups performances and right now, his team is probably the most disappointing team in the NFL.
Even in a season where you expect to not live up to being one of the NFL’s best, you have to hit a certain level of performance and show some positives. The Vikings have yet to show many, if any, positives to build upon.
If his team doesn’t show improvement in the next few weeks, we could maybe see an early departure for Zimmer. However, his past successes, the organization’s obvious faith in him, and the lack of established head coaching candidates should keep Zimmer in his seat for at least all of 2020, even if it gets pretty hot by the end of the year.