Cowboys Rumors: Former Vikings HC Mike Zimmer Expected to Be Named DC

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to hire Mike Zimmer as the team's new defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Zimmer previously served as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 until he was fired at the end of the 2021 season. He has 14 years of experience as a defensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Zimmer replaces Dan Quinn in the role, as Quinn took over as head coach of the Washington Commanders on Feb. 3.

Dallas was diligent in its search for a new defensive coordinator, conducting interviews with several experienced candidates. This included former Commanders and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera as well as former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.

Although Minnesota struggled to stop opposing offenses during Zimmer's final two years leading the team, the Vikings' defenses were arguably the main reason why they compiled a 50-29-1 record from 2015 through 2019. Minnesota owned one of the league's 10 best scoring defenses in every season during that stretch.

Although he's been out of the league for a couple of years, the 67-year-old previously expressed his desire to return to the sidelines for the 2024 season.

"I just think it's something that's in your blood," Zimmer explained in a Dec. 23 interview. "My dad was a high school coach for a long, long time. I love being around the players. I love the challenge of trying to make an organization better."

Now, he'll inherit a Cowboys defense that already ranked among the league's best. In 2023, Dallas owned the No. 5 scoring defense and allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game during the regular season. The team already has several established stars for Zimmer to work with including Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Now he'll look to improve upon the Cowboys' postseason performance after they gave up 48 points to the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs.