In Zimmer’s last year with the Vikings, his players did, indeed, let him down, finishing 8-9 despite a talented roster.
But at some point in his tenure, Zimmer went from believing it was his job to fix the Vikings, to believing that it was his job to blame others for the team’s failures.
Instead of doing what was best for the franchise, he judged every personnel move and management decision by how it fit with his personal philosophy.
The Vikings spent an inordinate amount of money on a franchise quarterback in Cousins and developed Diggs into one of the NFL’s best receivers.
Didn’t matter to Zimmer. He wanted to run the ball, so Cousins became an overpaid game manager and Diggs eventually forced a trade.
(This is where a self-aware Zimmer would thank Spielman for pulling a magic trick. Spielman traded Diggs, then immediately replaced him with the 22nd pick in the following draft, choosing Justin Jefferson, who is even better than Diggs.)