FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with Mike Zimmer, who will be the team's new defensive coordinator, after the two sides reached an agreement on Monday afternoon, after it was first announced that he would be selected on Thursday night. the team admitted.
Zimmer, 67, returns to Dallas, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2006 and as a defensive assistant for seven years, to assist Mike McCarthy, who is entering the fifth and final year of his contract with the team. do.
It took a few days for Zimmer to reach an agreement with the team, but the two sides were able to close a deal after Super Bowl weekend, when Jerry Jones and the front office traveled to Las Vegas. Rex Ryan, who interviewed for the position last Tuesday, said on ESPN: Sunday NFL Countdown It was announced Sunday morning that the two sides were working toward an agreement and the deal had not yet been finalized, but the deal was finalized on Monday when Jones and the front office were able to return to the building.
Zimmer was hired as head coach of the Washington Commanders on February 1, replacing Dan Quinn, who has been out of the NFL since 2021. After leaving Dallas in 2006, Zimmer served as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013. He served as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021. In his eight seasons as head coach, he led the Vikings to the playoffs three times, including an appearance in the 2017 NFC Championship Game.
In each of Zimmer's tenures as defensive coordinator or head coach, he has produced multiple top-five seasons in total defense, with the Cowboys ranking first and fourth in total defense in 2001 and 2003, respectively; The Bengals took third and fourth place. The Vikings finished first in 2013 and 2009, and first, third and fourth in 2016 and 2018.
Zimmer inherits three first-team All-Pro players in Micah Parsons, Darron Brand and Trevon Diggs, and a defense with plenty of talent around them. This offseason will also include the team's decisions on key free agents such as Stephon Gilmore, Jordan Lewis, Jaylon Kearse, Jonathan Hankins, and others that could help Dallas better protect its team in 2024. There are important decisions coming up, including draft decisions. As a coordinator or head coach, Zimmer boasts seven defenses that ranked in the top 10 in rushing defense in 22 seasons.
Zimmer is expected to arrive in Dallas later this week to officially begin his second tenure in Dallas.
