Dec 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer walks onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today’s is the January 8th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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A: Practically speaking, yes — probably.
The only avenue for Zimmer to remain, in our opinion, is if the ownership and front office dump the blame for two playoff-less seasons at the feet of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Without the ex-Washington Football Teamer, Minnesota reached the NFC Championship in 2017. Zimmer has always hinted at not needing a star quarterback to effectuate what he wants to do on the field. And the proof was in the pudding for the 2017 season.
However, all the little breadcrumbs for his exodus were evident this week. Statements like “whatever happens in the future,” for example, from Zimmer indicate the end is probably near.
Let’s face it — the Vikings need a change of pace. Zimmer guided the franchise to the postseason thrice in eight seasons. That’s semi-commendable, but it’s also emblematic of mediocrity. The Vikings are a winning franchise — to the tune of fifth-winningest in the Super Bowl era — and just need a Super Bowl to satiate fans. Super Bowls don’t feel like they’re on the horizon with this brand of Vikings.
So, it’s time to reset the organization on a path to the Super Bowl, once and for all. A new coach is the best option for it.
A: Yes, this is Zimmer’s personal philosophy. On Friday, Zimmer said this:
“I get the questions about ‘Am I gonna play young guys?’ The preseason, training camp is for those guys to play. This is a regular season game. We just go about our business like we always do.”
While it would be neat to watch Kellen Mond and other developmental-type players, Zimmer — in his words — doesn’t operate that way. Regrettably for Zimmer, this movie has been broadcast before — meaningless games in the last week of the season. The only time he decided on full rest mode was in 2019 when the Vikings sat players to avoid injury in preparation for a playoff push.
If you want the Vikings to win, Zimmer’s plan is on point. For draft positioning purposes, it’s better for the Vikings to lose in a mini-tank.
But Zimmer doesn’t tank.
A: Everything and everyone is to blame, so don’t get that twisted. Football is a team sport.
Specifically, though, the team failed in two crucial metrics. First, the defense was not good. Right after Mike Zimmer announced in 2020 he “never had a bad defense,” he never had a good defense again. The Vikings rank 31st in yards allowed to opponents. Even worse, they rank 32nd in NFL in points surrendered in the final two minutes of the first half. The Vikings defense consistently collapsed when it mattered the most.
Second, Minnesota ranks 28th in offensive 3rd Down conversion percentage. Only four other NFL teams are worse. If an offense cannot move the sticks on the most important down in football, the team won’t be successful, especially in an offense-happy league.
In a nutshell, the 2021 Vikings are underwhelming because the defense flat-out is not good, and the offense does not convert on 3rd Down. Scraping the bottom of the barrel in those statistical metrics in tandem will doom every football team — like ever.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).