The Minnesota Vikings are now just one of two teams in the NFL without a head coach.
That fact became true Tuesday when NFC North foe Detroit made former Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell their choice as new head man, replacing the ousted Jim Schwartz.
That news came after Ken Whisenhunt and the Titans came to an agreement Monday.
Those two hires mean that only the Browns and Vikings are without head coaches, both still searching to make sure they do not make the same mistakes as last time they went through the process.
For Cleveland, the last time was just one year ago, as the Browns fired first-year head coach Rob Chudzinski after the season.
Perhaps partially influenced by the short leash with the Browns, Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who the Vikings interviewed last week, withdrew his name from consideration for the Cleveland gig today.
That means Bowles is either going for broke and throwing all his eggs in Minnesota’s head coaching basket, or is content with returning to the Cardinals to serve as the defensive coordinator for a second year.
Minnesota has reportedly not lined up a second interview with Bowles as of yet, and whether they plan to apparently hinges on how things go between the Vikings and Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who interviewed with the Purple for the second time today.
Zimmer will stay in Minnesota for the night and conclude his scheduled two-day visit with the Vikings Wednesday. Some reports say that should things go well, Zimmer will be hired and the Purple will forgo further interviews.
One report out of Cincinnati Tuesday morning suggested that it was “very likely” that Minnesota would agree with Zimmer the same day, which has proven to be false.
For now, more waiting, and another check in on Purple plans Wednesday.
