Minnesota Vikings

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer gives brutally honest assessment of his defense

Published Mar. 23, 2016 12:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer did not beat around the bush Wednesday when asked whether his defense could become an elite unit.

Zimmer if #Vikings defense can be top-5 unit: "I don’t know. I don’t think we’re very good, to be honest. I think we played good in spurts."
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) March 23, 2016

The Vikings' overall defense last year was not bad. It ranked fifth-best in the league in total points allowed (302) and was 13th overall in yards-per-game (344.2). But Minnesota's run defense was mediocre at best, ranking 17th overall with 109.2 rushing yards-per-game.

Minnesota's offense was the bigger problem. The Vikings were knocked out of the playoffs after dropping their Wild Card game to the Seattle Seahawks, 10-9. The low score was not surprising considering the Vikings finished the regular season ranked 29th in yards-per-game (321.2) and finished second-to-last in passing yards-per-game (183.0).

Zimmer admitted he has room to improve in terms of coaching the offense.

His remarks come a week after former Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace took a shot at Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Wallace signed with the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month and claimed he had no intention of returning to Minnesota because he said he needs "a good quarterback."