Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has reportedly struck a deal to become the ninth head coach in Minnesota Vikings franchise history.
The Vikings haven’t announced the deal yet, which is a bit perplexing considering Viking players have been essentially confirming the reports on Twitter. A.J. Mansour of KFAN.com believes he knows why the Vikings haven’t made the report public.
My sources close to the situation have confirmed that the Mike Zimmer portion of the situation is all but an official done deal. The hang up for the time being, is likely surrounding the status of the current assistant coaches and coordinators under employ of the Minnesota Vikings.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen was the first to report that Zimmer was close to a deal.
Mike Zimmer and Vikings are moving toward a deal, hoping to complete negotiations by today, per league sources.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 15, 2014
Adam Schefter is reporting the same news.
Vikings are hiring Mike Zimmer as their HC, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2014
#Vikings planned to interview 2 candidates a second time. Yet they met with Zimmer all day yesterday.. And never let him leave town. Smart
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2014
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports says it’s a done deal and the decision was made Tuesday night.
Decision to hire him was made last night but the offer needed to come from the owners this AM
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 15, 2014
Zimmer helped lead the Bengals’ defense to finishes in the top five of the NFL in four of the last five seasons. In addition to those impressive statistics, Zimmer’s defense in Cincinnati finished as a top three scoring defense in each of the last two seasons.
Zimmer stayed in Minneapolis after interviewing for a second time on Tuesday, and he was spotted back at the team’s practice facility in Eden Prairie early this morning.
The Vikings have yet to acknowledge the reports, but that could come in the very near future.
Reports are already flying through social media circles about which coordinators Zimmer will want to bring on-board. Adam Caplan is reporting that Bengals linebackers coach Paul Guenther is one to watch for the defensive coordinator job, and Schefter is reporting that Norv Turner is a candidate to become Minnesota’s next offensive coordinator.
Look for Zimmer to target #Bengals LBs coach Paul Guenther as his defensive coordinator.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 15, 2014
One candidate Vikings HC Mike Zimmer is considering as his offensive coordinator is Browns OC Norv Turner, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2014
#Bengals LB coach Paul Guenther is still deciding if he wants to join Mike Zimmer in Minnesota or stay in Cincy as DC. Has a Skins offer too
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2014
Stay tuned as more information is piling in every minute.
