4 former NFL head coaches the Vikings could replace Mike Zimmer with

Josh McDaniels

Former Team:

• Denver Broncos

Career Record:

• 11-17 (.393)
• No playoff appearances

As the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots for more than a decade, Josh McDaniels is still a name that gets thrown around each offseason when teams are looking for a new head coach.

McDaniels was actually hired to be the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, but he decided to change his mind and return to the Patriots instead. It certainly wasn’t a good look, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all if a team with a head coach opening in 2022 considered him for the role.

Back in 2009, McDaniels got his first opportunity to be a head coach when the Denver Broncos brought him in to lead their team.

His first year with the Broncos got off to a great start as the team started the 2009 season with wins in their first six matchups. However, Denver went 5-17 in their next 22 games, and McDaniels was shown the door before the 2010 campaign even came to a close for a variety of reasons.

He’s had the luxury of Tom Brady being his quarterback during the majority of his tenure as the offensive coordinator in New England. But even with rookie Mac Jones as the Patriots starting signal-caller this season, McDaniels has the team’s offense averaging the 10th-most points per game in the NFL after the first nine weeks.