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Footage of Mike Zimmer shoving Kirk Cousins went viral after the Vikings’ 19-17 win over the Detriot Lions.
There’s more Vikings coaching staff news as we get closer to the NFL Combine and free agency.
Minnesota has had a plethora of transactions tied to their coaching staff. The most important one, of course, is the extension of DC Brian Flores. Another substantial one was the loss of defensive backs coach Daronte Jones to the Commanders, and the hiring of former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as assistant head coach.
Now, a former Vikings head coach is in the news regarding a potential position with the Denver Broncos.
Former Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer in Talks With Denver Broncos
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 10: head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after defeating the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The news was broken by 9News Broncos reporter Mike Klis on social media.
“Per source, #Broncos visited last week with veteran coach Mike Zimmer about a senior coaching position. Nothing imminent but there is mutual interest. Zimmer has been a football coach since 1979 and started his NFL career in 1994.”
Zimmer was the Vikings’ head coach from 2014-2021, and was let go ahead of the 2022 season. The Zimmer era Vikings weren’t known for offense, but were known for their fantastic defenses. Zimmer’s most recent NFL ventures came with the Dallas Cowboys as DC in 2024.
A Broncos and Zimmer union would make sense. He has history with Denver head coach Sean Payton. Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk provided more insight.
“Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator when Payton was their assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2003-2005. Payton moved on to become the Saints‘ head coach in 2006 and Zimmer would become the Vikings’ head coach in 2014 after stints in Atlanta and Cincinnati.”
As Klis explained, no deal is currently imminent for the 69-year-old veteran coach. If a position is extended, it will likely be as a senior coaching assistant. In other words, a “right-hand man” of sorts for his old buddy Sean Payton.
Minnesota Gets Another Promising Joe Burrow Take
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Arizona Cardinals meet after the Bengals defeated the Cardinals 37-14 at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images).
In a recent installment of The Herd, Colin Cowherd made his thoughts known on what he sees happening in the future between Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
“I think Burrow misses the playoffs again, and he’s moving. I think he’s just gonna say ‘I’m out’. And I think he’ll say ‘call the Rams, I’m going to McVay. Call the Niners’.
It’ll be one of these Kevin O’Connell, McVay, high end offensive coaches. You’d think Cincinnati would be embarrassed by it? That you have Joe Burrow and you can’t get into the playoffs? That would be kind of embarrassing. It speaks upstairs, not to Burrow.”
Burrow isn’t getting any younger, as he turns 30 this December. It wouldn’t be crazy to think he would want to capitalize on the prime years of his career with a team that’s established and suited to make a run.
Depending on the Vikings’ 2026 and the job status of Kevin O’Connell, this could mean a Vikings and Joe Burrow union. This also depends on the QB that Minnesota decides to acquire in 2026, if any.
If they are to acquire Kyler Murray, the Burrow scenario is off the table. If the Vikings somehow win a couple playoff games with McCarthy and he struggles, that seems like the most likely avenue for Burrow to come north. In that scenario, O’Connell likely keeps his job, and could lead to him and the new general manager calling Cincinnati about Burrow.
Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane
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