Vikings did not push resignation of Norv Turner, who could coach again

Turner surprisingly stepped down from his post with Minnesota earlier this week

Differing philosophies over how to direct the Vikings offense out of a recent funk led to Norv Turner's surprising decision to resign from coach Mike Zimmer's staff midweek, league sources said. The decision caught virtually the entire organization off-guard. Turner was not pushed to leave midway through his third season with the Vikings (5-2), contrary to some reports, but expressed a belief it may be best for all parties if Minnesota moved on without him given differences over the team's scheme and how to rebound after consecutive lopsided defeats.

Turner actually had a strong working relationship with new coordinator Pat Shurmur, the tight ends coach before Turner's departure, according to multiple team sources. The two had been getting along well as they tried to overcome the loss of their starting quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater), No. 1 running back (Adrian Peterson) and both starting tackles in what became a trying first half of the season.

However, the sources said it became clear during a full staff meeting Tuesday afternoon -- following Monday night's troubling 20-10 defeat to the lowly Bears -- that Zimmer and Turner were not of the same mind regarding a jump-start for the lagging offense.

Many coaches remained in the office until 9 that night, working on the game plan and finalizing the practice schedule. While it was obvious there was frustration about the offense, most of the staff went home never anticipating any changes. Turner informed Zimmer early Wednesday morning that he thought it would be in both of their best interests if he departed because his vision for the offense did not match Zimmer's, and that ended up being his final day. Following that meeting, Zimmer approached Shurmur and asked him to take over offensive coordinator duties. Before that, however, team sources were adamant that Zimmer was not pushing for a bigger role for Shurmur and if anything, Turner's decision was a blow to Zimmer.

"If anything, this shook Zim," a team source said. "I don't think he had any idea this was coming."

There remains a strong affinity between Turner and Zimmer, sources said, and the decision to keep Turner's son, Scott, the Vikings quarterback coach, on staff even after his father's departure speaks to that.

Several rival scouts and evaluators, who have watched Vikings film closely as injuries have mounted on offense, are skeptical as to how much this unit can change, particularly now with their guards and pass-catching running back Jerick McKinnon hobbled. These men agreed the team's starting tackle situation is untenable, and the signing of free-agent left tackle Jake Long has been a disaster.

"They don't have an NFL starting tackle on that roster," said one advanced scout who has watched the Vikings multiple times.

Turner declined to comment, beyond his previous statement, on his departure and sincerely wished Zimmer and the Vikings well. Turner did concede that he continues to mull his future, saying he never entered this season thinking it might be the last of a distinguished career, and that he isn't sure he is ready to slow down.

"I'm 100 percent healthier and fitter than I've been the last five years," Turner said. "I've done some things with exercise and my diet to help myself, and I have not made any decisions about the direction I'm going in, and what I want to do next. And obviously a big part of that would be getting into a situation that I felt was a good opportunity, and someplace where I felt like I could really help."