Mike Zimmer’s son Adam is a candidate to become the next Vikings defensive coordinator, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio host Alex Marvez.
Adam Zimmer has served as the Vikings’ linebackers coach in all of his father’s six seasons as head coach and defensive play-caller in Minnesota. The younger Zimmer helped develop one of the best linebacking duos in the NFL — 2019 first-team All-Pro Eric Kendricks and four-time Pro Bowl selection Anthony Barr.
Marvez was the first to report the departure of Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, who worked as DC for all of Mike Zimmer’s six seasons but only called plays in one 2016 game when the head coach was forced to stay home after being hospitalized for a torn retina.
Another possible candidate is former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Lewis and Zimmer have remained close after working together in Cincinnati as head coach and defensive coordinator during Lewis’ long run as Bengals’ boss.
The Vikings lost 27-10 Saturday in the NFC Divisional playoff to the San Francisco 49ers.
Zimmer didn’t provide a target date for hiring replacements for Edwards and former offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who is becoming Cleveland’s new head coach.
The Vikings were 14th in total defense in 2019, giving up an average of 341.6 yards per game.
