There were rumors at the start of the 2021 NFL season that Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was on the hot seat and needed a playoff appearance to save his job. With the Vikings missing the playoffs, it looks like Zimmer will indeed be getting the boot.

Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf haven't made any final determination on Zimmer and haven't informed him of anything, but NFL Media's Ian Rapaport and Tom Pelissero say signs are pointing to the head coach's dismissal. The report also notes “several sources with knowledge of the coaching landscape” believing Minnesota will move on, and the coach himself seems to see the writing on the wall.

Zimmer replaced Leslie Frazier as Vikings head coach and began his tenure in 2014. Zimmer has had a solid run in Minnesota, going 71-56-1 before the Week 18 season finale against the Chicago Bears. That record ranks third in franchise history in winning percentage.

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However, the last two seasons were mediocre with a high-paid quarterback in Kirk Cousins at the helm. There were also several playoff disappointments before that.

In Zimmer's second season, the Vikings lost an ugly 10-9 playoff game to the Seattle Seahawks after winning the NFC North.

In the 2017 season, Minnesota won the NFC North with a 13-3 record and then won the “Minneapolis Miracle” game over the New Orleans Saints, only to get destroyed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

The 2019 season saw the Vikings beat the Saints in the playoffs once again, this time in overtime, but then they got whacked by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.

In addition to Zimmer, Minnesota will have to make a big decision on Cousins' future. While the veteran quarterback put up stellar numbers once again, this will be the third time in four seasons with the Vikings he failed to reach the playoffs.