There is a lot to unpack about the upcoming weeks for Minnesota as the latest unsuccessful season has set the franchise on a new course into the future. All the candidates and all the varying ways that the time could unfold would make for too long a post for even the most ravenous in the fanbase but will try to hit the high points while going a bit deeper.
The decision Monday morning to relieve Mike Zimmer came as little surprise while the choice to make a change at GM was less-widely predicted. People have and will continue to point to the litany of unsuccessful high-round picks during Rick Spielman's tenure as general manager but there's one factor that hasn't been as explicitly discussed.
Given that the Wilfs don't want the franchise to be in a constant state of upheaval the decision this offseason will be in effect for the next four season, if not longer. So instead of letting Spielman continue to be the guy at the wheel for the duration of the next coaches run they opted for a hard reset to the leadership. The idea is bolstered by the comments that they will hire a new GM before the next head coach is brought in. The set of decisions that they make will go a long way in defining the nature of their ownership. There's never been an indication that they resist spending money to make the organization stronger but if they can't find the men or women to do even better than Spielman & Zimmer then concerns about their competence will begin to grow a la Glen Taylor.
So who might they bring in?
As important as they are, managers aren't discussed anywhere near as vociferously so the candidates will be revelations. The same isn't true of coaches.
Kellen Moore's name has already been thrown around on TV, radio & websites. Maybe he really is the secret sauce for Dallas' record-setting offense. That would fit with the strength of Minnesota's roster but there's a skepticism about him that hasn't yet been shaken. People want to find the next Sean McVay but the leader for Los Angeles did nearly a decade as an assistant with several organizations before taking the big job. Moore doesn't have that kind of seasoning yet. Experience is not the end all, be all but lack of it shouldn't be ignored either just because he's trendy.
Another name that will be mentioned regularly until he gets scooped up is Brian Flores. The former Miami coach was 24 - 25 after three seasons, a total which gets dragged down by a 5 - 11 first year. As they always seem to, inter-office stories will find their way out & may explain the firing. Can't rule out possibility that he will be the new Adam Gase, but if he gets an opportunity better than the broken-down planes for his second head job that could be avoided.
A dark-horse to keep in mind is Doug Pederson. His time in Philadelphia after the championship went very poorly but with the knowledge of what it takes to win the last game of the season and a year to reflect on the issues in Philly he may be able to follow in the foot steps of Bill Belichick & Andy Reid with even better success in a second job. Word is that he already has an interview set with the Purple which would indicate a preference by ownership.
When the new head coach is chosen the staff will begin to take shape. If the team goes in an offensive-minded direction at HC Andre Patterson should be given the chance to be the real defensive coordinator. He already should have had the title all to himself but nepotism split it between him and Zimmer's son. Another current member of the staff who could be retained is Phil Rauscher. Even in the age of player "empowerment" they don't get to choose coaches but Brian O'Neill's vote of confidence should be considered.
Which just leaves the biggest roster move. The best-case-scenario is that Minnesota can find a team in a similar situation to where they were prior to signing Cousins and swing a deal. It would most likely require them to retain some of the financial burden but some is better than all of the $45,000,000 cap hit he currently adds. Zimmer has a shoddy record with quarterbacks but not being willing to play Kellen Mond is a bad sign. Hope remains that he will prove to be a quality player but there is a red flag attached to him. Every draft has gems and the fresh perspective could result in Minnesota finding this year's. Combining that with the returning talent and they may be able to compete in the North again next season.
Unfortunately the more likely outcome is that next season will be a wash, similar to how the 2020 season should have gone. Those are topics to drill down on another day but the decisions made as the playoffs unfold will lay the ground work for the outcomes.
One possible way they could improve the financial situation would be to trade Cousins for Tua. TT may be Bridgewater 2.0 but half of Cousins salary + Tua's $8 million would give them the chance to add more free agent talent & evaluate him for a year before having to decide on the fifth year option. With the Fins going in a different direction they may be willing to do the deal.
Add everything up and the result seems like next season will be a wash. 2022 doesn't have to go that way but there is a feel of inevitability at this moment. In any case, that is several steps beyond the purpose of this post. The draft discussions will begin in earnest soon but first must come the decisions of the next few weeks which will provide plenty more fodder for thoughts as the analysis of the season & offseason are just beginning.