Mike Zimmer to have second interview with the Vikings

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is expected to have his second interview with the Minnesota Vikings early next week, according to NFL Insider Adam Caplan.

The update isn't entirely surprising (in fact it was largely believed to be happening), as he was emerging as a leading candidate and a group of finalists that includes defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and perhaps offensive coordinator Greg Roman (though that's unconfirmed at this point).

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said last week that once he has his list of candidates down to three choices, they would interview with Vikings owners Zygi, Mark and Leonard Wilf in Minnesota.

If Zimmer leaves, the Bengals would have an in-house candidate ready for promotion in linebackers coach Paul Guenther.

There's also a chance that former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, who was the Ravens linebackers coach under Marvin Lewis when the latter was a defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Lewis was the one that hired Schwartz in 1996 and the two have remained close.

"When you work together like we did you spend a lot of time together," Lewis said leading up the Lions game this year. "When you come from the bottom like we did you really grind together. You really are that close.

"I owe him a lot. He was a great coach with me and just tremendous. I've had the same administrative assistant here for going on 14 years and Jimmy hired her, 14, 15 years (ago). Everyone around me I owe it to Jimmy."