After holding the Browns to seven points Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals defense is officially the toughest unit to score against in the NFL.
Numbers like that usually get attention from owners looking for new leaders. That’s why it’s fair to wonder if Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will make the head coaching interview circuit this January.
Zimmer has been approached for a contract extension to stay with the Bengals, but says that “nothing came to fruition . . . we’ll see.”
No matter what happens with Zimmer’s future, he is making sure to appreciate the present with his family.
Six weeks after the sudden passing of his wife Vikki, Zimmer’s daughters flew to Cincinnati to have Thanksgiving dinner with their father. The family dined at the home of Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski; the two men have known each other since coaching together 30 years ago at the University of Missouri.
Zimmer is taking on some of his late wife’s roles during the holiday season. He told his team’s website he got his nails done with his daughters Friday, something their mom traditionally did with them. He also went makeup shopping with them.
“I really needed to see them,” Zimmer said. “Probably more than they needed to see me.”