Report: Vikings finalizing contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer

The Minnesota Vikings are reported to be close to coming to terms on a multi-year contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer.

Ever since Mike Zimmer was named the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, the team has looked a bit different. With the new coach came a new defensive identity and three trips to the playoffs as well as two playoff wins.

Entering the final year of his contract, some questioned if Mike Zimmer would get an extension done before the start of the 2020 season or if the team would wait to see how he performed this season.

That question appeared to be answered on July 22 when NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Twitter that the coach and the team are close to finalizing a deal to keep Zimmer in Minnesota for several more years.

Here is that tweet:

With Mike Zimmer as the head coach of the Vikings, the team has accumulated a record of 57-38-1, a winning percentage of 59.9%. Not only that, but Minnesota has won the NFC North twice under his guidance and has never placed last in the division.

Zimmer’s strong passion for the team can’t be questioned. The hard-nosed leader still had a team-first mentality when dealing with an eye issue that would have sidelined most coaches in the NFL.

Of course, the primary goal of any football team in the NFL is to reach the Super Bowl. Although Zimmer hasn’t accomplished that with the Vikings, there are hopes he can get that done in the near future.

At this time, no details have been reported on the duration of the extension or financial terms. However, it is hard to argue that retaining Zimmer would be a huge positive for the franchise and its direction going forward.