Minnesota Vikings: 3 Candidates for vacant defensive coordinator position

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 8: Defensive Coordinator George Edwards of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders on August 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 8: Defensive Coordinator George Edwards of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders on August 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images /

3. Mike Zimmer

The first option that the Minnesota Vikings could explore when it comes to addressing their open defensive coordinator position is not even filling it at all. Yes, you read that correctly.

Even though George Edwards has held the title of defensive coordinator in Minnesota for the past six seasons, it’s no secret that Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has had a strong influence in the defensive play-calling on that side of the ball throughout his tenure at the helm of the purple and gold.

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Zimmer, who was a defensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals prior to taking over as head coach in Minnesota six years ago, has always held primary play-calling duties for the Vikings defense, having a desire to continue to carry those duties that he held in previous positions during his coaching career.

That being said, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if Zimmer and company decided that they would be most comfortable with allowing the head coach to just take over that portion of the coaching staff full time, along with leading the team as its head coach, moving into the 2020 regular season.

If the Vikings were to go this direction, they could still promote a coach within the organization to take over some of the duties that Edwards held in his time in Minnesota, maybe adding an assistant defensive coordinator or defensive advisor title to someone either internal or external of the organization.

While Minnesota still needs to fill its offensive coordinator position heading into a new season in 2020, they are now on the search for a coordinator on the defensive side of the ball as well. But it wouldn’t be that surprising if the Vikings decide to just let Zimmer fully take things over for the defense moving forward.