Vikings LB Eric Kendricks Labels Zimmer-Era ‘Fear-Based’

If Mike Zimmer’s looking for a job reference, he should steer clear of Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks. Hours after Minnesota parted ways with Zimmer, Kendrick painted a rather bleak picture of the Zimmer era.

“I don’t think a fear-based organization is the way to go,” Kendricks told members of the media Monday afternoon.

Kendricks appears less than thrilled with the environment created by Zimmer and his staff: “A culture where communication is put at the forefront. No matter what your role is on the staff, you having a voice and being able to communicate things you think could facilitate wins. I think just having that voice, no matter how big your role is—it’s important to listen up and take each other’s opinions into account."

Had Zimmer previously sought Kendricks’ advice, he may still be employed. Instead, he was fired Monday morning after Minnesota finished the season 8-9 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Kendricks, who just finished his seventh season with the team, seems convinced that the next Vikings head coach should possess the opposite characteristics of Zimmer.

"We got to have a different strategy this next year in order to have different results,” added Kendricks. “We got to be on the same page.”

Though Kendricks insists that he and Zimmer “put a lot of work in together, and we had a great run,” it sounds like the two didn't exchange numbers before Zimmer left: “I feel like there’s some things left out there as far as our relationship is concerned. I think that’s a question you have to ask him.”

 

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