Ex-Vikings coach Mike Zimmer still holds a grudge with Minnesota players for getting him fired

Mike Zimmer openly acknowledged that he blames Minnesota Vikings players for his termination and continues to harbour a grudge towards them.

Ex-Vikings coach Mike Zimmer still holds a grudge with Minnesota players for getting him fired

Mike Zimmer believes the Vikings' players are the reason he got fired. (Image via Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)

Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys has come a long way since the tragic year that included personal loss and professional setbacks. Although he’s content and happy, the former Vikings HC has admitted that harbouring a grudge towards Minnesota players for playing a role in his dismissal during the challenging time.

The Minnesota Vikings fired Mike Zimmer as the head coach in January 2022 after disappointing results from him. In the same year, Zimmer lost his son, Adam Zimmer. Adam died unexpectedly on 31st October 2022. His cause of death was later revealed to be excessive ethanol intake.

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Zimmer was speaking to Mark Craig of The Minnesota Star Tribune where he mentioned that he had no intention to address the team after being fired. He had a choice of words to describe that specific time.

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They asked me if I wanted to address the team. And I said, 'Hell, no. They got me fired. I didn't know I was supposed to go to HR and sign out or whatever. No one told me. I just got all my stuff, got in my truck, and left.
Mike Zimmer to Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune

He also admitted to harbour these grudges ever since. Furthermore, he said that he hasn’t tuned in for a Vikings game to date. Mike Zimmer served the Vikings from 2014 till his dismissal in 2021. He ultimately fared well in Minnesota, with a record 72-56-1 in eight seasons. The Vikings made the playoffs three times, including an appearance in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. In the last two seasons, he managed an HC record of 15-18, eventually leading to his dismissal.

Zimmer has since served as an analyst for collegiate teams Jackson State and Colorado Buffaloes. He played a key role there alongside the speculated new QB of Dallas Cowboys Shedeur Sanders. Earlier, in February 2024, he joined the Dallas outfit as their defensive coordinator.

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Mike Zimmer brought it upon himself, according to top analyst

Mike Florio had a very different take on the ex-coach’s statement. Florio said that the truth is that Zimmer got himself fired. He added that nobody but Zimmer was at fault for what happened to him.

Mike Zimmer. (Image via Getty Images)

Florio was also amused that Zimmer didn’t throw shade on Kirk Cousins. He alluded to the incident where the coach and the player engaged in mutual shoving. Zimmer apparently snapped and the cameras got the visuals perfectly. Cousins and Zimmer did not share a good and healthy relationship leading to rifts and a comprised league outcome.

Minnesota Vikings seem to getting on track with the new coach at the same time. Kevin O’Connell led the Vikings to the NFC North title after a 13-4 record, the third-best by a rookie coach. Eventually, they lost against the New York Giants in the Wild Card playoffs. However, the 2023 season ended up being a disaster. They finished 3rd in the division with a losing record. The Vikings will be looking forward to coming back to form with a historic offseason under their belts.

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