Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
There seems to be a polarizing opinion about Mike Zimmer, the new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.
Mike Zimmer replaced Dan Quinn, who is the new head coach of the Washington Commanders, returning to a post he held in Dallas from 2000-2006.
In many people’s estimation, Zimmer is a safe choice rather than a sexy one.
There are various opinions on whether or not he’s what Dallas needs right now.
Is Mike Zimmer Boring?
Regarding the X’s and O’s of football, few would disagree that Mike Zimmer knows what he’s talking about.
However, when it comes to being a motivator, some folks are on the fence.
Skip Bayless, in particular, believes Zimmer lacks the emotion this team needs on the defensive side of the ball.
“Mike Zimmer is not exciting to me,” says Bayless.
“This locker room lacks a ‘firestarter,’ an emotional leadership personality.”
“(Head coach) Mike McCarthy is a bump on a log … Dak (Prescott) doesn’t have a leadership intangible in the locker room …”
Bayless says he was more interested in Rex Ryan landing the job, with the former New York Jets head coach interviewed for the role.
What do former Cowboys say about Zimmer?
Bayless has his views about Zimmer, but those who played in Big D during his previous tenure share a different view.
The host of “Undisputed” said that when he saw Deion Sanders in Las Vegas ahead of the Super Bowl, he raved about Zimmer and had nothing but the highest praise for the former Minnesota Vikings head coach.
Michael Irvin also spoke highly of Zimmer, saying his “intensity and personality” makes him a great hire.
How do former Viking players feel about Zimmer?
While former Cowboy players with Zimmer in Dallas seem to love him, his image as Minnesota Vikings head coach is not so rosy.
Former Vikings cornerback Cam Dantzler claimed that Zimmer told him in 2021 that he doesn’t talk to injured players.
Dantzler was on the injury list when that alleged conversation took place.
Speaking to Tyler Dunne of “Go Long” Dantzler said: “I’m an outgoing person. People like my personality. I bring joy to the room. I don’t know. He’s an old school type of guy. He wasn’t feeling it.”
Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen, Brian O’Neil, and Terence Newman all played in Minnesota when Zimmer was head coach.
All of them, along with former general manager Rick Spielman, have been critical of Zimmer since his firing in January 2022.
Mike Zimmer’s Response
Based on the opening press conference where Zimmer was introduced as Cowboys defensive coordinator, it’s clear that he’s well aware of the reputation some have labelled him.
“You know, there’s a reputation out there that I’m a jerk or something like that. It is what it is, I guess,” said Zimmer.
“But since it was announced that I was going to be here, I’ve heard from so many players that played for me – not just defensive backs but linebackers and defensive linemen – texted me and said how happy they are for me. I think if I was such a jerk, I wouldn’t be hearing from those guys.”
Zimmer hasn’t been in the NFL since his firing from Minnesota but has served as a consultant in college at Jackson State and with Deion Sanders in Colorado.