Former Minnesota Vikings head coach, Mike Zimmer, has made his return to the NFL as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Although he is moving forward in his career, Zimmer recently took a moment to reflect on his past during an interview with Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
After being fired following eight seasons with a record of 74-59-1, Zimmer recalled the moment he was asked by ownership if he wanted to address the team. His response? “Hell, no. They got me fired,” Zimmer told Craig bluntly.
While Zimmer may blame others for his firing, the reality is that he was ultimately responsible for the team’s performance. Despite this, Zimmer also places part of the blame on General Manager Rick Spielman for his departure, as their relationship was clearly strained.
Interestingly, Zimmer noted that the final roster he left behind wasn’t all that different from the one that went 13-4 the following year. However, he admitted that he has not watched a single Minnesota game since his departure.
Although Zimmer may not have been keeping up with the Vikings, he will surely be watching film of future opponents, even if Minnesota is not on the Cowboys’ schedule this year.
One person who may have rubbed Zimmer the wrong way during his time with the Vikings is quarterback Kirk Cousins. While Zimmer did not specifically criticize Cousins during the interview with Craig, it is no secret that there was tension between the two. The infamous sideline incident between Cousins and Zimmer, which resembled the “first phase of a street fight,” highlighted their strained relationship.
Despite the challenges Zimmer faced in Minnesota, he is now focused on his new role with the Cowboys and preparing for the upcoming season. As he navigates his return to the NFL, Zimmer’s experiences both on and off the field will undoubtedly shape his future with America’s Team.
