Help wanted: Vikings' Mike Zimmer seeking offensive coordinator, starting QB

The offensive coordinator job opened Monday when Pat Shurmur was named coach of the New York Giants, the day after Minnesota's season ended with a 38-7 loss at Philadelphia in the NFC championship game.

"We thanked him for the success that he's helped us with and we hope he's successful in the future, except when they play the Vikings," Zimmer said.

Zimmer said Tuesday, Jan. 23, he will talk to quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski, among others, about the coordinator position and wants to fill it "as soon as possible" while still getting the right fit.

It will take a lot longer before Zimmer knows his starting quarterback; the three they used this season — Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater — are in line to become free agents in March.

Zimmer declined to say whether Keenum, 11-3 as a starter in the regular season, had earned the chance to be Minnesota's starter moving forward. He began the season as Bradford's backup.

"I'm going to work though the process just like I always do," Zimmer said during his season-ending news conference. "We're going to evaluate all the players. We're going to evaluate everybody and go through our business."

In line for a big raise from his one-year, $2 million contract, Keenum on Monday wouldn't tip his hand. Asked if his priority is re-signing with Minnesota, Keenum said, "Right now, there's no priorities."

Bridgewater returned from a devastating knee injury to become Keenum's backup for the final eight games of the regular season. His playing time was limited to two series in the final minutes of a 34-7 rout of Cincinnati on Dec. 17. Bridgewater had reconstructive surgery after severely injuring his left knee on a non-contact play in August 2016.

"We would have liked to have seen more on the field but, quite honestly, for him to get on the field is an unbelievable achievement," Zimmer said of Bridgewater, the Vikings' starter in 2014 and 2015. "He's doing good now. He's at the point where he can play."

Zimmer said research by the Vikings' medical staff found 24 injuries, in various sports, as severe as Bridgewater's. Half of those injuries, the coach said, were career-ending.

There has been speculation the Vikings could toll Bridgewater's contract for next season because he was in the final year of his deal and on the physically unable to perform list for the first six weeks. Language in the collective bargaining agreement could allow Minnesota to keep Bridgewater under contract next season for the same $1.354 million he made in 2017, but Zimmer declined to speculate on what might occur.

"I don't have any idea," he said. "I would be guessing if I said what I think."

Bradford, the starter in 2016, was bothered by a knee injury and played only in the season opener and for the first half of a Week 5 victory at Chicago. He was activated for the playoffs and served as Keenum's backup after having arthroscopic left knee surgery, He previously had two surgeries on that knee for torn ACL injuries.

Asked if he believes Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, is over his knee problems, Zimmer said, "I talked to him (on Monday). I think he is. He feels like he is, so we'll just have to see how he continues to improve."

The only Vikings quarterback under contract for next season is Kyle Sloter, who didn't get into a game as a rookie but has potential. The Vikings won a bidding war to get him on the practice squad last September before he eventually was elevated to the 53-man roster.

Stefanski, the longest tenured member of the coaching staff at 12 seasons, played a role in Keenum having his best season as a pro. Before he became quarterbacks coach this season, Stefanski coached tight ends and running backs.

"I think he's good," Zimmer said. "Kevin is a very smart guy. I need to sit down and talk to him. I need to sit down and talk to some other people and figure out what the best thing is for us moving forward."

Another possible candidate is Darrell Bevell, Minnesota's offensive coordinator from 2006-10. He recently was let go as Seattle's offensive coordinator after seven seasons.

Zimmer said he expects no other changes to his coaching staff, which, he said, has "great chemistry."