The Minnesota Vikings are moving on filling their defensive coordinator position, and there are some intriguing names emerging as potential candidates for the job.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting the team has put in a request to interview Detroit Lions defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, who worked with soon-to-be hired head coach Kevin O’Connell last year with the Los Angeles Rams.
Former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale has reportedly also “had discussions” with the Vikings, per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. Martindale served as the defensive coordinator for the last four seasons in Baltimore, and he has already been interviewed twice by the New York Giants. So there’s clearly interest in his experience with that job.
And according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Ravens defensive line coach and run game coordinator Anthony Weaver is also coming up in conversations as someone that could get a look. Like Pleasant, there’s a connection with O’Connell when Weaver was in Cleveland back in 2015.
A new defensive coordinator being named would officially bring an end to the father-son shindig in Minnesota with co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Adam Zimmer and former head coach Mike Zimmer.
It would also potentially put co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Andre Patterson on the outs as well.
The Vikings were in need of a serious facelift, and they’re getting a makeover the likes of which fans haven’t seen in years.
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