Vikings HC Zimmer: ‘Pro Bowl is the furthest thing from my mind’

The Minnesota Vikings only had one representative invited to the Pro Bowl for the 2015 NFL season, but that is the furthest thing from Mike Zimmer’s mind.

When the announcement was made naming the players who were invited to the Pro Bowl this year, many fans of the Minnesota Vikings were outraged that only one player from their favorite team was included on the list. Missing from the roster were players with amazing performances this year, such as defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr, safety Harrison Smith, and center Joe Berger.

Vikings fans are used to seeing some of the great players on their team be snubbed for the Pro Bowl, as the all-star game boils down to being a popularity contest rather than being based on the player’s merit for that year. Still, players should be honored when they are voted in to the game because it shows they have name recognition among the NFL’s fans, players, and coaches.

However, Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer brushed off the disrespect of his players, doing so in the most Zimmer fashion possible. According to Vikings.com, the coach has no interest in the Pro Bowl.

"“The Pro Bowl is the furthest thing from my mind.”"

The fact that Zimmer isn’t thinking about the Pro Bowl at all shouldn’t come as a surprise to fans of the Vikings. He has always been more focused on team accomplishments instead of individual ones. He has already stated that he has two goals for the Minnesota Vikings, division titles and Super Bowl victories.

"Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer questions cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (24) after the Chicago Bears score a touchdown in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports“I’m a team guy. If they get voted in, that’s great, I hope they do. And if they don’t, we’ve got to play better.”"

Still, there is no reason this can’t be bulletin board material for a team that needs to finish off the regular season with two wins to become the NFC North champions. Plus, at this point, the Vikings haven’t secured a playoff spot yet, so that should also be high on the priority list for Minnesota on Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings will take on the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football airing December 27, 2015 on NBC and close out the season on the road against the Green Bay Packers in a week 17 showdown which could determine the division winner.