Mike Zimmer's Extension Overlaps with Defensive Core, Possible Offensive Continuity

[Viktor]

Zimmer, of course, has a Super Bowl ring from his time as a Cowboys assistant in the mid-1990s.


But he made it clear when we chatted in his office in the summer of 2016 that just one ring wasn't good enough, especially since he now wants to win one as a head coach.


"The thing you realize is how hard it is. Once you win, you want to do it again," Zimmer said then at Winter Park. "But you know all the ups and downs you have to go through throughout the season in order to get to that point.


"You realize just how difficult it is," he added. "And I haven't been back since."


Zimmer's tenure in Minnesota has been marked by more success than failure, even though he knows all about those ups and downs he referenced.


While he's led the Vikings to double-digit wins in half of his six seasons so far, he has also endured some tough times.


Remember that he's dealt with plenty of circumstances out of his control, whether it was a missed field goal in the postseason, Teddy Bridgewater's freak knee injury or the tragic and sudden passing of Tony Sparano, his friend and coaching confidant, on July 22, 2018.


But through it all, he has compiled a 57-38-1 record and also has a pair of playoff wins to go with two NFC North titles (2015 and 2017) and three total playoff appearances (2015, 2017 and 2019). The Vikings are 2-3 in the playoffs under Zimmer.


With Zimmer getting a multi-year extension, the focus now turns to the 2020 season and beyond.


There's a chance that Zimmer could face his biggest test as a defensive coach this season. He will try to incorporate a handful of fresh faces on defense, including new starters at cornerback — a position that Zimmer is known for developing and molding young players.


The talent is certainly still there on the defensive side of the ball with the likes of Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris all returning from a year ago.