Predict the end of the Vikings season!

We lose at GB and Philly and 49ers win and we out of it. We then sit still and watch all the top candidates get hired while we wait until after the last game. We then fire Zim late and have to scramble for options.

It is to hard to tell on Rick and Kirk. I will give it a shot though. My gut says we trade Kirk to either Broncos or Browns, Rick stays but might be in another position besides GM.

Drank I usually agree with your predictions and I'm with you about the first part - I think we get beat and are eliminated Sunday night.

But I don't see your worry about missing the early hiring period being legit. No one else has fired their coach, and there are several (Bears, Panthers, Texans, Jets, Giants) that are already eliminated and didn't make a move, and the first three are almost certainly done. That rule change is new and NFL teams change their habits slowly. Besides, it's not like new coaches are always hired quickly after the season -it's often a month or two. A smart candidate - definitely anyone who knows he is really in demand - will wait for a better opportunity.

Now, I may run the Vikings down a lot, but I'll definitely say this job opening will be a better landing spot than ANY of the 5 teams I just listed (and the NY teams may not be hiring). Raiders and Jags are also open. Vegas may be as appealing as Minnesota, but Rich Bisaccia might keep that job. This team is in far better shape than Jacksonville, though some coaches might prefer Florida weather and coaching Trevor Lawrence. Unless there's a surprise opening like Seattle or Pittsburgh, IMO the Vikings job will be one of the most desirable this offseason, maybe the most desirable. Some good candidates will wait for it if it's obvious Zimmer is done.

Leftwich and Bowles have my sympathy.

I think we miss the playoffs and Zimmer gets extended.