3 defensive changes that Mike Zimmer will bring to Dallas

After a short interviewing process, the Dallas Cowboys have tapped former Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer as the defensive coordinator in 2024.

Zimmer was immediately sought after by Dallas; interviewing alongside other former head coaches and in-house options, but the former Cowboys assistant won the team over.

The move signals that Dallas wants somebody with extensive experience and an intensity that some would say was missing under now-Commanders Head Coach, Dan Quinn.

While adapting to any new system takes time, the Cowboys are not looking for on-the-job training.

Zimmer has been a defensive coordinator for seven years in Atlanta and Cincinnati, ran the Vikings as head coach for 8 seasons, and developed in Dallas for 12 years as a defensive assistant.

This is a win-now move for the team, as the changes Zimmer is expected to make will maximize the strengths of the Dallas defense.

Here is a look at three changes you can expect the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator to make.

Major Staff Shakeup

Dallas has lost two major assistant coaches since the off-season started with Joe Whitt Jr heading to Washington and defensive line coach, Aden Durde, going to Seattle.

Both of these departures were to get defensive coordinator jobs, which means we have not gotten to Zimmer’s changes to the staff yet.

The familiarity aspect with the current defensive staff is not going to be enough to deter Zimmer from bringing in his guys, even if it means some bitter-sweet goodbyes.

One coach you can expect Zimmer to at least pursue, is current Giants defensive line coach and former co-defensive coordinator under Zimmer in Minnesota, Andre Patterson.

With Durde’s departure leaving the defensive line coach spot vacant, Patterson, who coached in Dallas with Zimmer from 2000-2002, and then in Minnesota with him for his entire tenure, is a replacement that makes a lot of sense.

Giants fans have already been voicing fears that Zimmer could take Patterson to Dallas; he has been a fantastic coach in his short tenure in New York.

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Another name to get familiar with is former Vikings assistant Paul Guenther, who not only coached in 2021 with Minnesota but was also a key part of Zimmer’s staff in Cincinnati.

Needless to say, Guenther’s experience with Zimmer’s defense goes way back.

Guenther could fill the role of linebackers coach or some other senior assistant position.

While these are not the player personnel moves we expect to see, whether or not Zimmer gets a staff he is comfortable with might be more important than additions to the roster.

Scheme Changes

Naturally, a change in defensive coordinator brings a change to the defensive scheme, and that is true in the shift from Quinn to Zimmer.

In fact, the way Zimmer likes to run his defense runs directly into one area Dallas may look to improve on this offseason.

The middle of the defense, both on the defensive line, with the linebackers, and deep with safeties, is crucial for success in Zimmer’s scheme.

He is known for creating the AA gap scheme, which essentially spreads out the defensive line and uses two linebackers either both hitting the A-gap to generate pressure in the backfield or one dropping back into coverage.

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Zimmer likes big defensive tackles to eat up space with the guards, defensive ends out wide taking care of the tackles, and two linebackers lined up right in the A gap on both sides of the center.

Now, picture this blitz with Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith as the tackles, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dorance Williams or Sam Williams out wide. That works well.

Where this scheme has the potential to become elite in Dallas is when you enter Micah Parsons as one of the two guys in the A gap.

Parsons is a weapon, and one that does not just have to be used on the edge.

He has gotten sacks from the A gap before, and if you paired him with either a talented rookie or free agent in this look, you have something deadly on your hands.

New Roster Additions

The most fun part of getting a new coordinator is the fact that he may want some new faces in town.

With free agency and the draft on the way, you can bet that a main focus for Zimmer is going to be shaping his defense with the players he wants.

One name that you have to watch here is current Chargers Linebacker, Eric Kendricks.

Kendricks was a key component of the Zimmer era in Minnesota, starting all the way back in 2015.

He was drafted by Zimmer, developed by Zimmer, and turned into a production machine under Zimmer.

Kendricks has had under 100 tackles just once in his career; that was in his rookie season when he had 94.

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Now, there are a few things to take into account here, like the fact that Kendricks is not heading into free agency.

He is going into the last year of a 2-year, $13.25M deal with the Chargers, but they could save a good amount of money if they release him.

There is also potential for a late-round pick trade here.

This would get him off the books in LA and add him to the Dallas roster for minimal cost.

Kendricks also might be the last legs of his NFL career; he will turn 32 later this month and has only played the entire season twice in his nine-year career.

While that would discourage Dallas from pursuing him as a long-term option, right now they are trying to win as soon as possible.

A one-year deal or a 7th round-trade for Kendricks makes sense.

Zimmer is going to have to work fast to get acclimated, and the same goes for the team as well.

If the Cowboys can implement players with experience under Zimmer while also filling weaknesses, they have to do it.