Vikings Likely 48 Hours from Structural Change
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, partaking in one of the most meaningless games imaginable and undoubtedly one of the most irrelevant of the Mike Zimmer era in Minnesota.
The only thing at stake is draft order. The Vikings could climb as high as the ninth spot in the 2022 NFL Draft with a loss and as low as 14 or so with a win.
Unless Minnesota’s ownership has markedly different plans, head coach Mike Zimmer is likely to be terminated after eight seasons with the franchise. In that timeframe, the Vikings showcased the ninth-best record in the NFL, so the Zimmer era in Minnesota was rather prosperous. He did not deliver a Super Bowl to a championship-starved organization, but then again, nobody else in 60 years has either.
So, it’s probably time to try a new vision, complete with fresh methods and perspective.
In past terminations for this ownership group, the news could leak on Sunday evening or Black Monday, a day when several NFL coaches will hit the open market. But the consensus is that Zimmer is likely to end his tenure with the Vikings.
As for the general manager, Rick Spielman, the prognosis is less clear. Rumors from Minneapolis media members link Spielman to staying within the organization — but with a different job title. Last year, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway stepped down from general management, maneuvering himself to an enhanced job title but with fewer roster-making responsibilities — an Elwayian thing, indeed. If the Minneapolis rumors are correct, the same gig could be on the horizon for Spielman.
Or he could just remain in place, tasked with selecting the new skipper as he did with Zimmer eight years ago. Then, Spielman would encounter a meaty decision on the fate of the quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Spielman acquired Cousins in the spring of 2018 to put the team over the top. Instead, the Vikings regressed, only winning one playoff game in Cousins’ four years of leadership to date.
Spielman could operate under the theory that Cousins just needs a new coach to tap his throwing prowess — or he could trade him to a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, or Cleveland Browns, all teams hungry for a man who routinely flings 30+ touchdowns per season. Minnesota would likely receive draft picks for Cousins, a welcome sight as the cap situation in Minnesota is not conducive to adding gobs of veterans.
However, if a new general manager takes charge, whisking Spielman to the theoretical “other job,” well, it’s anybody’s ballgame. The person could love Cousins or feel lukewarm about his talents. Followers of the Vikings have grown used to an era of Spielman pulling the trigger, making future outcomes a bit more predictable because of a track record. A new general manager would entail a total mystery — of which many fans are excited.
On the whole, the debate of rebuild vs. re-tool should be answered by early next week. Spielman remaining in the general manager role would likely signify a re-tool. An elevation to the Elwayishness is a nod to wholesale change.
The overall takeaway? The 2018-2021 Vikings are trending toward kaput. The four seasons after the storybook NFC Championship sprint were supposed to be the time for “getting over the top.”
That did not happen.
Therefore, late Sunday or early Monday, the first domino of transformation will transpire.
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).
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