Cowboys Blocked from Broader Vikings Reunion

Dustin Baker   |  

Feb 13, 2024

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The Dallas Cowboys want to recreate the semi-recent glory days of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. For now, Mike Zimmer, as defensive coordinator, will just have to do.

Cowboys Blocked from Broader Vikings Reunion

Dallas evidently tried to lure defensive line coach Andre Patterson from the New York Giants this week, but the Giants’ coaching staff and front office said nope.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday, “The Giants now have denied the Cowboys’ request for permission to meet with their defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who was the defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer.”

In other Vikings-related news from the past, Cowboys assistant coach Sharrif Floyd joined the Washington Commanders as a defensive line coach. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Commanders are hiring Cowboys assistant Sharrif Floyd as their assistant DL coach, as the former standout Vikings DT continues to work his way up. Floyd was with Dan Quinn in Dallas.”

So, the NFC East right now is a round-robin of former Vikings personalities earning jobs or getting targeted for new opportunities within the division.

On Patterson, he was beloved in Minnesota. He was credited with unlocking Everson Griffen in 2014. From 2010 to 2013, Griffen was developing under Leslie Frazier’s tutelage. But the beast was unleashed when Patterson and Zimmer got a hold of Griffen. Danielle Hunter also thrived with Patterson’s mentorship. The Vikings scooped Hunter from the 3^rd Round of the NFL draft in 2015 — a notorious hit-and-miss spot for defenders — yet Patterson and Zimmer ensured Hunter would rise to Pro Bowl stardom.

Here’s Patterson’s NFL resume to date:

Meanwhile, the Giants recently parted ways with the defensive coordinator from the last two seasons, Wink Martindale, who was Patterson’s boss, Martindale took a job as the Michigan Wolverines’ defensive coordinator, and Shane Bowen took over the Giants’ job after three seasons as defensive coordinator with Mike Vrabel in Tennessee.

Last year, Martindale and Patterson ran New York’s defense, and the Giants ranked 21st per DVOA.

The Cowboys’ search for a defensive line coach, an effort led by Zimmer, will presumably continue this week.

Also Read:
The Vikings Need a WR3. These Are the Options.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.