Mike Zimmer stood at the goal line 30 minutes before kickoff on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, his arms crossed across his chest as he surveyed his kingdom for potentially the final time.

His lifes work as a coach had been reduced to a meaningless Week 18 game with the Bears, neither team capable of doing anything with their respective seasons beyond the 60 minutes left on the field.

Here comes Mike Zimmer! the public-address announcer bellowed over the loudspeaker ahead of player introductions. And your Minnesota Vikings!

It was an awkward moment that got even more awkward as Zimmer animatedly stalked the sidelines throughout a game that, at times, felt more like a funeral. Hes not stupid. He had to know deep down that it was likely his last game with the Vikings.

His actions after the 31-17 win spoke to that, too, as he snapped a picture with his son, Adam, on the field. As he slowly made his way toward the Vikings locker room, Zimmer took a fleeting moment to look around the Vikings home once more.

It sure looked like a man coming to grips with what was about it happen. No official word regarding Zimmers future had surfaced on Sunday night.

If this is indeed the end of the Mike Zimmer era, though, its about time.

Asked postgame what he will remember most about his time with the Vikings since taking over in 2014, Zimmer pleaded, Lets not go there today. You want to talk about it tomorrow, then lets talk about it tomorrow. This isnt time to reflect for eight years.

He gave that answer knowing that if he is fired, he wont talk to reporters again.

As unpleasant as Zimmer could be throughout his tenure especially when things werent going well history will more than likely be kind to him. He was a very good coach with only the legendary Bud Grant and Dennis Green having more successful coaching careers with the Vikings.

This move has to happen, though, and it probably should have happened a couple of years ago.

Theres a good chance Zimmer would have been fired in January 2020 had veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph not hauled in a walk-off touchdown pass in the first-round playoff game against the Saints in New Orleans. Instead, Zimmer got another chance to prove himself, and the Vikings missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Would the Vikings be in a better position now if they just ripped off the Band-Aid? It might have saved them from a couple more seasons of mediocrity. The only thing worse than being very bad in the NFL is being kind of bad.

Looking back on Zimmers time in Minnesota is difficult. He skillfully toed the line between successful and stubborn for nearly a decade.

Did he mismanage his players at times? Certainly. The way he handled the Daniel Carlson situation was a masterclass in what not to do to a rookie kicker.

Did he struggle to adapt to the modern-day NFL? No doubt. He was obsessed with running Dalvin Cook into the ground despite having incredible pass-catching threats like Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

Did he lack consistency as the man in charge? Absolutely. He never once led the Vikings to back-to-back winning seasons.

Still, the Vikings were always relevant under Zimmer, and they were one win away from playing in Super Bowl LI on their home field. The loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 NFC Championship Game was as close as the Vikings got to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with Zimmer at the helm.

In hindsight, that was the beginning of the end for Zimmer, as he never got the Vikings close to that level ever again.

Now its time to move on.

Read more:
Dane Mizutani: Vikings Mike Zimmer was a very good coach. Now its time to move on - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press