Cowboys opening could be filled by former Vikings head coach

Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer could be in the running to become the new defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

Prior to spending eight seasons as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, Mike Zimmer first cut his teeth in the NFL as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

Zimmer's first year with the Cowboys was in 1994, when he joined the team's staff as a defensive assistant. He was then promoted to be Dallas's defensive backs coach in 1995, and then before the 2000 season, the team named him their defensive coordinator, which was a role that he held until 2007.

Now, with Dan Quinn leaving to become the new head coach of the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys are in need of a new defensive coordinator, and some believe the former Minnesota head coach could end up being Dallas's choice to replace Quinn.

Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speculated as a candidate for Dallas Cowboys coaching vacancy

Zimmer hasn't coached in the NFL since the Vikings parted with him during the 2022 offseason, but during a recent interview with NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the former Minnesota head coach made it seem like he's still interested in coaching again in the league.

The Cowboys almost seem like the perfect fit.

A year ago, Zimmer was reportedly in the running to be Dallas's defensive coordinator if Quinn wound up taking a head-coaching job elsewhere, but he never left the Cowboys.

One would have to assume that the former Vikings coach is probably still on the list of possible candidates to replace Quinn in Dallas, especially since Zimmer and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones have claimed to have a good relationship over the years.

Adding more fuel to the flame of speculation surrounding Zimmer to Dallas is current SiriusXM NFL host Zig Fracassi, who recently shared on Twitter that the former Minnesota head coach is a name that he has heard as a possibility to run the Cowboys' defense next season.

Former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will reportedly be interviewed by Dallas next week for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Will the Cowboys also schedule a meeting with Zimmer?