3 reasons why the Vikings still haven’t extended Mike Zimmer

Maybe Zimmer is nearing retirement?

Mike Zimmer has denied a bunch of times in the past that he’s ever thought about retiring. But at his age (64), it’s hard to believe that he hasn’t at least thought about life after the NFL.

Zimmer has already experienced more in his six seasons with the Vikings than what most head coaches go through during their entire careers.

He’s dealt with his star running back getting suspended for the majority of the year, his top quarterback almost losing his leg, he almost lost one of his own eyes, one of his best friends and members of his coaching staff suddenly passed away, his top pass rusher had to miss time to get his mental health back in order, and this isn’t even really counting anything that has actually happened out on the football field.

Things like this can really wear a person down, whether they want to admit it or not. Zimmer may be 64-years-old, but there’s a good chance he might feel more like he’s 70 or older.

Was Zimmer’s decision to promote his son, Adam, to be Minnesota’s new co-defensive coordinator this offseason a little bit of a sign that the head coach knows his time in the league is coming to an end sooner than later? Perhaps he wants to start preparing his son to take over as the next Vikings head coach?

Only Zimmer knows how long he wants to continue coaching and it’s likely going to stay this way until the actual day that he retires.