5 candidates to replace Mike Zimmer as Vikings head coach

1. Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs Offensive Coordinator

If not for the Chiefs Super Bowl run last year, Bieniemy may already be a head coach. Seven interviews in the last two cycles, coinciding with his two seasons as offensive coordinator, show he’s on the league’s radar (rightfully so). He’s going to be the next in the Andy Reid pipeline to become a head coach, it’s just a matter of when.

The New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars in particular are in line to be looking for a new head coach after the season, and Bieniemy will be high on their respective list of candidates. But Bieniemy can and should be looking at the deeper structure of an organization, all the way up to ownership, upon garnering head coach consideration. The Chiefs have stability that’s rare, and the Vikings have ownership that is willing to do whatever it takes to foster winning.

If they move on from Zimmer, Bieniemy would be a dream candidate and hire for the Vikings if he’s willing to consider them. An attempted change in quarterback may have to follow, since a very specific offensive structure seems to be what gets the best from Cousins (less is more). But Bieniemy can surely find a way to make something work with Cousins, and the Vikings would get  a much-needed fresh voice in the room as Zimmer’s act grows more and more tired every year.