How will you look back on the Zimmer years?

Like most things, it will be in the eye of the beholder...

If you're a fan who had big expectations with the Zimmer hire, you're probably on the disappointed side of the fence...

If you're a fan who just wanted to get back to "normalcy" after the Tice/Childress/Frazier era, you're probably on the other side of the fence...

For me, personally, I'm probably a bit more on the disappointed side of the fence, probably because of the 2nd half of Zimmer's tenure more than anything. Zimmer's 8 years with the Vikes can be split into two halves right down the middle: 2014-2017 and 2018-2021. I think most fans were excited for the majority of Zimmer's 1st half - the peak being the Minneapolis Miracle - with the plan of a game-manager QB leading a "complementary" offense, coupled with a strong/stout Zimmer-style Defense coming to fruition during that 2017 season...

...but then the failure to make adjustments following 2017 ultimately dragged Zimmer down to the disappointment level. I thought we were getting a HC with decades of NFL-level experience where he could make the necessary adjustments to stay competitive, even when the initial plan wasn't working anymore. And instead, the franchise doubled-down on the initial plan throughout Zimmer's 2nd half and the franchise is ultimately learning the lesson they should have learned after 2018 the hard way...

There's no doubt that Zimmer "stabilized" the franchise after the laughing stock the organization sort of became during that Tice/Childress/Frazier era...and even though Zimmer was a 1st-time HC, I think when you hire a HC with his level of coaching experience, the expectation is a bit higher than a younger one. And the fact that Zimmer's coaching experience really didn't amount to a great deal once the going got tough after 2017, is what ultimately leads me to disappointment...

Also, I don't think Zimmer is the sure-fire 3rd best HC in Viking's history: behind Grant and Green, there's probably a debate/argument to be made for either Zimmer or Burns for that spot.

2017 will be remembered for all the fun and entertainment. 2015 for ripping the division from the Packers on their field. Both kinda unlikely years to be good. Those were the highlights. Is that enough to make him a Viking legend?
I feel like the 1st half of his tenure I could believe in Zimmer. Then it just wore on me. 2018 on was pretty much unexciting and disappointing aside from a surprising road playoff win at New Orleans. That season felt like it should have been more then a Wildcard spot. To think it would only get more disappointing from there. Letting the Packers celebrate winning the division on our field that year took some of the earlier shine off. Now, no division titles since 2017. Now, just back to bad defense like before Zimmer got here. The full circle.

Someone on this board creates stats that tell us the defense is the strength of the team and that Cousins is the problem. I agree with the stats above personally

Now I know Chilly was a jerk but.. Did Zim really accomplish much more than him? Grant and Green are easily above him.. Burns I think it's close and jerk aside, Chilly is not far off Zim.. His 2009 team was better than any team in Zim era.

I hate Chilly can't believe I am saying that.. We needed miracles just to win in playoffs with Zim.. Chilly team smashed Cowboys. Then it took a BS bounty gate and fumble the game away to lose in OT to Saints..

Chilly got us closer to winning it all. All wins by Zim followed up a straight beatdown. Chilly also knew that you win in trenches. 1st thing he did was go get Steve Hutchinson and in 2008 all world Jared Allen. Meanwhile all Zim wanted was bust after bust CB. Zim barely ahead of Chilly personality aside just results. The 2nd half of Zim era has been Tice or worse like.

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Got to say I disagree with the 2009 team being that much better than the 2017 one. I think the 2017 defense was better than the 2009 one overall, but I think the 2009 offense was much better than 2017 offense which makes them a little better. But I wouldn’t say they were levels better.

I know Childress was douchy and just an oddball but he did take us from 6 wins to 8 wins to 10 wins to 12 wins and a NFL rigged OT via "booth review" from the Superbowl...