Zygi Wilf, Minnesota Vikings. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
The Minnesota Vikings will be very methodical when it comes to hiring their next head coach and general manager this offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings have to replace Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman as their head coach and general manager respectively this winter.
Minnesota is one of three NFL franchises who have to replace both positions this offseason, along with the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants. Because Minnesota has been the most well-run organization of this trio for the last decade, the Vikings may get the best candidates. However, not every head coach or general manager will want to attach themselves to quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Here is the plan Vikings ownership has in place to hire their next head coach and general manager.
Minnesota Vikings’ plan to hire their next head coach and general manager.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Vikings ownership plans to hire a general manager first. The first interview they will do is with Tennessee Titans front office executive Monti Ossenfort while the top-seeded AFC team is on bye. Simultaneously, they will interview Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to get out ahead of this while they are on bye.
This is without question the right course of the action for a team in need of filling both vacancies to make. Absolutely hire the general manager first and see what head-coaching candidate they align with best. Again, continuity is by far and away the most important thing when filling these jobs. The Vikings have to keep pace with the four or five other teams that have a general manager.
It serves the Vikings to interview anyone on either the Packers or Titans staffs during their bye weeks to gather intel before coming to a decision over who will fill these vacancies in a few weeks.