Vikings' Zimmer targeting continuity in OC search

The Minnesota Vikings haven't started their search for a new offensive coordinator, but they evidently want to run the same system next season.

"I like the scheme, I like the continuity that we have offensively with the coaches, and I feel like if we add a couple more pieces and continue to work on the execution of staying with the same play-calls, the same system, the same motions and formations and things like that, it'll definitely help the offensive players," head coach Mike Zimmer said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Kevin Stefanski, who was in Minnesota since 2006 and worked as the team's offensive coordinator in 2019, will reportedly become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

The Vikings have yet to set up a deadline to find their new OC.

"It may be by the end of the week, but it may be a couple weeks," Zimmer said. "I want to make sure the fit is right. Those guys over there, they do an outstanding job. I love the way that they work together and communicate, and so if we do bring somebody in from the outside, I want to make sure that it's the correct fit."

Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who Zimmer thinks may have had "the best year that he's played in the NFL," posted 3,603 yards and 26 touchdowns during the regular season. He led the 10-6 Vikings to a road win in the wild-card matchup against the New Orleans Saints but fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.

Minnesota averaged 25.4 points per game in 2019, which ranked eighth in the league. The club's strength came from the running game, posting 133.3 yards per tilt on the ground led by Dalvin Cook's breakout campaign.

Since 2015, the Vikings have had four different offensive coordinators.