Vikings Finalize Three-Year Extension For HC Mike Zimmer

Update:

The Minnesota Vikings announced Friday that they’ve finalized a three-year contract extension for HC Mike Zimmer. 

“We are excited to have Coach Zimmer continue to lead the Minnesota Vikings this season and beyond,” Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf said. “We strongly believe in his leadership and the team culture he’s fostered. We look forward to him furthering the team’s success of the previous six seasons and leading us to our ultimate goal of bringing a Super Bowl Championship to Minnesota.”

“Coach Zimmer brings an intensity and consistency to the field that our players and fans alike appreciate,” Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf said. “He holds his players and staff to a high standard and will continue to guide the Vikings to long-term success.”

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According to Tom Pelissero, the Vikings are finalizing a multi-year extension for HC Mike Zimmer.

2020 had previously been scheduled to be the final year of Zimmer’s deal, so this is major news for the team, as it prevents Zimmer from coaching out the year as a “lame duck.”

The veteran coach’s future had been the subject of some speculation this offseason. He came up in connection with the Cowboys’ opening, but the Vikings’ ownership group made good on their promise at the end of last season to keep Zimmer in Minnesota:

“We value Mike and Rick’s leadership and we have every intent of Mike continuing as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and Rick leading our football operations, next year and beyond.”

Zimmer, 64, began his NFL coaching career with the Cowboys back in 1994 as their DBs coach. He worked his way up to defensive coordinator and had stints with the Falcons and Bengals before the Vikings hired him as their head coach in 2014.

During his six years as Vikings’ head coach, Zimmer has led the team to a record of 57-38-1 (59.9 percent), which includes three playoff appearances and one trip to the NFC Championship game in 2017.