Ranking the top priorities for the next GM of the Minnesota Vikings

Finding the right head coach

Mike Zimmer did a wonderful job as the head coach of the Vikings. The end of his tenure was not perfect and his firing was certainly the right call but he did a pretty good job given the circumstances when he took over. Now, the front office and ownership are tasked with finding the next “right guy” for the job.

The list of candidates is a long one. Minnesota has enough enticing options to go out and get a top candidate if they desire, especially considering how young Justin Jefferson is and how special he can be. Any candidate with an offensive background that has shown success as a coordinator or head coach in the past is worth considering.

Kellen Moore, Byron Leftwich, Brian Daboll, and Nathaniel Hackett are going to have a lot of interviews when the time comes. The Minnesota Vikings would be smart to get into the mix and go get one of the young play-callers to help open things up for the offense.

Forming a staff around the next head coach is important as well but the head coach is going to have a lot more say in that aspect of the offseason. Veteran defensive coordinators are out there and that’s a perfect pairing for a young head coach that can tinker with the offense.

Vic Fangio, the former head coach of the Broncos, and Saints secondary coach Kris Richard are worth a look for the defensive coordinator position. Of course, Andre Patterson is a good candidate to stay in Minnesota and retain his role as the defensive coordinator.