The NFL head coach firings are well underway as Week 18 came to a close on Sunday. One of the casualties was Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who got to the playoffs only three times in eight full seasons. He only led the team to a Divisional Round once, which only happened because of the broken coverage that resulted in the Minneapolis Miracle.
The Vikings need a new head coach, so here are TGH’s picks for potential replacements for Zimmer in Minneapolis.
Doug Pederson
Doug Pederson won the Eagles their first Super Bowl in franchise history. In addition, he made that playoff run with a backup quarterback. In fact, in his five seasons in Philadelphia, he took the Eagles to the playoffs three times, including the Super Bowl run.
Kirk Cousins is a limited quarterback, no doubt, but he is not bottom-tier. If they want the most out of him and the fantastic receiving core, then Pederson could be the perfect fit here. Pederson needs an owner and a GM that is committed to him, though. The Vikings pitch should assure him his plays will be backed in the organization.
Nathaniel Hackett
If a team is going out looking for coordinators to poach, then why not look inside your own division? That is where Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett comes in.
Hackett has been a part of the Packers’ three-straight 13 win seasons, working under head coach Matt LaFleur. He has helped lead the team to two straight NFC Championship games and been an OC for none other than Aaron Rodgers who may win his second-consecutive MVP award.
Those accomplishments speak for themselves, but the fact that he would be taking his talents to a team in the NFC North would make this hire especially helpful for the Vikings. He would have the insider beat on the Packers, while still being able to use what he knows about the Lions and Bears. The Jaguars have already interviewed Hackett, though, so the Vikings would need to pitch hard.
Brian Flores
Another defensive coach may not be what the Vikings need after Zimmer’s exit, but if they were going to pick another, Flores is the best name on the market.
After the Dolphins shocked the league by firing Flores, he immediately became one of the best names on the head coaching carousel. He went 24-25 with a rebuilding Miami roster, including some incredibly clutch runs down the stretch. Those include becoming the first coach of all time to win seven in a row after losing seven in a row during the 2021 season.
Flores is a great option for getting what was once a great defense back to its potential. Their offense has the pieces to be threatening, too, but Flores would need a hand-picked offensive coordinator to get the most out of that side of the ball.
Featured image courtesy of Philadelphia Inquirer
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