Vikings Co-DC Andre Patterson: “We had to get into a teacher mode, not a coach mode’

“We’re going to be teachers and teach these guys what the scheme is all about, and I think that worked out very well for us.”

Andre Patterson was promoted to co-defensive coordinator of the Vikings this offseason, one that has been unconventional due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As reported by the Star Tribune, Vikings haven’t been able to practice during their offseason program, and they’ve had to tweak meetings and get more creative because of it.

“I’m an old teacher. I started off as a teacher,” Patterson told the Star Tribune. “We had to get into a teacher mode, not a coach mode. We’re going to be teachers and teach these guys what the scheme is all about, and I think that worked out very well for us.”

Adam Zimmer, the other Vikings co-defensive coordinator, was also promoted to his position this offseason. He seems excited to see the rookies start to play.

“To see them actually go through what we’ve taught them over the last five or six weeks,” Adam Zimmer told Star Tribune. “See who can handle it; see who can’t. See who is going to rise to the top and who isn’t.”