Mike Zimmer Hot Seat Chatter Has Already Begun

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has a record well over .500 (64-48-1), but his recent string of missed postseason appearances has heightened concerns among the Wilf ownership team. Now it sounds like Mike Zimmer may not have another season left with the Vikings, should he miss the playoffs in 2021-22.

After the Vikings lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in OT in Week One, speculation about the longevity of Zimmer's tenure in Minnesota, should the team play another losing season, began to arise.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that Zimmer is indeed on the hot seat, with the Vikings now at 0-2 to start the season. Vikings ownership had reportedly been on the cusp of firing the coach after two consecutive years of headline losses. First there was the 38-7 loss in the 2018 NFC Championship Game to a Nick Foles-led Philadelphia Eagles team and then a 52-33 loss to the New Orleans Saints in 2019. Despite a loaded roster of defensive and offensive weapons, Zimmer hasn't been able to sniff the playoffs since that NFC Championship Game, and now there's little confidence that the coach will remain for two or three more years.

With their winless streak extended by a narrow Week Two loss against the Arizona Cardinals, the Wilf family's patience is running on fumes.

Zimmer and the team will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Week Three before a home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings will have a tough assignment trying to stave off a Seattle team that fell to 1-1 following a Week Two OT loss to the Tennessee Titans. Russell Wilson has the best winning record post defeat among qualified quarterbacks since 1970.

The seat is likely to crank up than cool down for Zimmer in the coming weeks.

Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela