Rumors: Ex-Vikings HC Mike Zimmer Could Join Jonathan Gannon's Cardinals Staff

Former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer could be back in the NFL in 2023. After spending a year as an analyst on Deion Sanders' staff at Jackson State, Zimmer's name has popped up in rumors surrounding the Arizona Cardinals' coaching staff.

Hearing Nick Rallis and Mike Zimmer could have spots on Jonathan Gannon's defensive staff. Rallis will be 30 in July. Five years as assistant with Vikings, last two as LB coach. He might be DC or assistant head coach/LBs with Zimmer possibly DC or senior defensive assistant.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) February 14, 2023

As of now, there have been no official reports that indicate the Cardinals will be interviewing Zimmer, but it would make a lot of sense. Arizona's new head coach, former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, has worked with Zimmer in the past. In 2007, Gannon was a defensive quality control coach on the Falcons when Zimmer was the DC in Atlanta. Then, when Zimmer got the Vikings' head job in 2014, he hired Gannon as an assistant defensive backs coach, a role Gannon held for four seasons before joining the Colts as their DBs coach.

If Zimmer, who turns 67 this year, wants to return to the NFL, the Cardinals are a logical landing spot because of his relationship with Gannon. Whether that would be as the team's defensive coordinator or in more of a senior defensive assistant type of role is unclear.

Zimmer has also been linked to the Broncos' DC opening, but it seems as though Rex Ryan has emerged as the favorite to land that role on Sean Payton's staff.

Here's another thought: If Zimmer doesn't wind up in Arizona with Gannon, could he be in the mix to replace him as the Eagles' defensive coordinator under Nick Sirianni?

It's also possible that Zimmer continues to stay out of the NFL limelight and follows his good friend Sanders to the University of Colorado, which Sanders has indicated is a possibility.

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