Minnesota Vikings Need Leadership Above All Else
Adam New
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The search for the new general manager and new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings is well underway.
Work is ongoing to find new leadership for the Minnesota Vikings, with candidates for both roles interviewed this week. The expectation would be that the general manager comes in first, thus having a say on the appointment of the head coach — getting out there early to touch base with head coach candidates is the right approach, with several other openings across the league.
As Mike Zimmer’s tenure as head coach drew to a close, there was a clamor an exciting offensive mind as a replacement. That was my thought that time, too, but what we have seen and heard since the firing of Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer altered my thought process somewhat. It started with Mark Wilf’s press conference where he repeatedly emphasized they were looking for “great leaders, great communicators, and great collaborators.” Those comments were more telling than we first realized.
Soon after Spielman and Zimmer had left the building, the stories started coming out. Stories that seemed to back up what some people, including myself, thought were wrong with the team. It was no secret that coach Zimmer had an old-school mentality, one that probably doesn’t suit the modern NFL player. For example, a veteran player such as Eric Kendricks using the words “fear-based organization” when interviewed following the firings — was both surprising and telling.
There was talk of young players being ignored, backing up the Zimmer hates rookie narrative. I suspected all season that Zimmer was deeply unhappy with the Kellen Mond selection and possibly Wyatt Davis as well. There was talk of Davis not being in “football shape.” My question now would be, was he genuinely unfit or just not small and athletic enough for Zimmer’s liking?
After only sitting down for conversations with quarterback Kirk Cousins for the first time this season, things took an even more bizarre turn when Deion Sanders, a close friend of Mike Zimmer, claimed Zimmer and Spielman hadn’t talked for months.
This all paints the picture of the Minnesota Vikings leadership in complete shambles. It is no way to run a successful sports team, which brings the words of Mark Wilf into sharp focus.
The two pending appointments are vital for getting this franchise back on track. Getting them wrong would be a significant setback, and as a result, we would be in the realms of a complete rebuild. We aren’t there yet because this roster still has a lot of things going for it. Some things need solutions finding, for example, the future of Kirk Cousins. There is plenty for a new regime to begin work with.
Having a general manager and head coach working together — in unison within a culture that brings out the best in the entire roster — is what’s most important for the future of the franchise. It doesn’t matter which side of the ball the candidate is most known for. I don’t want an offense guy who sees defense as an afterthought anymore than I wanted more Mike Zimmer. The team needs a balanced approach focusing on all facets of the game from a leader of men who works closely with the general manager to build a winning team – showcasing those good communication and collaboration skills Mark Wilf mentioned. That is more important to me than an individual who did well here and did good with this quarterback, etc.
Don’t get me wrong. I have names I like the sound of as head coach – Brian Daboll and Raheem Morris, for starters. However, I have no predetermined “must-have” guy, even less so for the general manager. The interview process is where ownership can get a real insight into if the candidates have the qualities that they are looking for. It is a case of trusting the process and hoping they get it right, putting together a team that works together and is the future of Minnesota Vikings leadership.
To bring the fanbase the success it has been longing for.
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