Former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is back in the NFL, now steering the Dallas Cowboys’ defense as their new defensive coordinator. Instead of solely gearing up for future clashes, Zimmer took a nostalgic trip down memory lane in a recent heart-to-heart with Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Reflecting on the Past
Axed after an eight-season stint with a 74-59-1 record (playoffs included), Zimmer recounted how he found out he was getting the boot.
"They asked me if I wanted to address the team," Zimmer shared with Craig. "And I said, ‘Hell, no. They got me fired.’"
Funny thing is, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Zimmer had the reins, and the buck indeed stops with him. Of course, he also quietly held General Manager Rick Spielman responsible—and rightly so, as Zimmer’s comments about their relationship could form a scandalous tale on their own.
A Similar Roster, Different Results
Interestingly, the roster Zimmer had in his final year was remarkably similar to the squad that boasted a 13-4 record the very next year. One might wonder if Zimmer even noticed, given his next revelation.
“I can tell you I’ve not watched one Minnesota game since,” Zimmer admitted.
But that drought will come to an end. While the Vikings and Cowboys don’t face off this year, Zimmer’s job will require him to dissect footage of Cowboys’ future adversaries who have tangled with the Vikings.
Kirk Cousins: The Elephant in the Room
Another player who undoubtedly features prominently in Zimmer’s blame game is none other than quarterback Kirk Cousins. Oddly, Zimmer held back from skewering Cousins in his conversation with Craig. Perhaps it was a shrewd move to avoid giving Cousins any extra motivation ahead of their Week 9 reunion in Atlanta.
Their rocky relationship was best depicted during a bizarre sideline celebration that seemed more like the opening bell of a wrestling match, with Cousins and Zimmer shoving each other in a display that raised many eyebrows. Vikings’ commentator Paul Allen noted that Zimmer appeared to "snap" during the encounter.
“I just didn’t like what PA said,” Zimmer acknowledged to Craig. “We’re supposed to be friends. Why you got to talk about me? Unfortunately, I hold grudges. That’s just how I am.”
Learning and Moving Forward
It’s one thing to recognize your flaws, but addressing them is another ball game. Perhaps it’s a reason why Zimmer’s journey to an NFL head coach role was more marathon than sprint. Yet, his direct, unapologetic style has won him a fan in his new boss.
“Zim’s a straight-shooter, not a lot of fluff,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy shared with Craig. “This generation needs more of it.”
Yet, there’s a rub: needing it and wanting it are two different beasts entirely. Many in the locker room won’t stand for it. Whether Zimmer’s unfiltered approach works? Only victories can dictate that. If the Cowboys win, his players will put up with his no-nonsense style. If they lose, well, Zimmer will have another group to blame for handing him his walking papers.
In the high-stakes, nail-biting drama of the NFL, one thing remains clear: Zimmer’s return brings an added layer of fire and passion that can either galvanize or divide the Cowboys. Only time will reveal which path they’ll tread.
