The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back a familiar face to coach the defense this year after the departure of Dan Quinn, who left to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders.
Longtime defensive coordinator and former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will be taking over the defense in 2024.
Most fans remember Zimmer being either a defensive assistant or defensive coordinator from 1994-2006 with the franchise.
He helped them win the 1995 Super Bowl, which just happens to be their last victory in the big game.
One of the players that he will be coaching is veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was with him in Minnesota for seven seasons.
“We’re very excited. It’s good to be back with him…I always appreciated Zim,” Kendricks recently told Dallas Morning News.
Despite some rough terrain at the end of the Zimmer era in Minnesota, Kendricks and Co. had a lot of success with the veteran coach.
In a division with Aaron Rodgers, they were able to win the NFC North multiple times and make the playoffs twice.
Kendricks became a star in Zimmer’s defensive system.
The former First-Team All-Pro recorded 100+ tackles in six of his seven seasons under Zimmer.
In his final two seasons with the Vikings (2021, 2022) before joining the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, he recorded a combined 280 tackles and set a career-high in solo tackles with 87 in 2022.
After declining to sign with the 49ers this offseason, Kendricks opted to sign with the Cowboys.
The 32-year-old will need to be a true leader and producer with the retirement of Pro Bowl linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
