Nate Davis

USA TODAY Sports

Mike Zimmer didn’t need much time to turn the Minnesota Vikings around, and now he’s being rewarded for it.

The team signed the third-year coach to a contract extension Thursday but revealed no terms.

"Mike has instilled a very positive atmosphere over the past three years and our players have thrived under his tutelage and leadership,” said owner Zygi Wilf in a statement. “His focus on helping our players develop and maximize potential, individually and collectively, is critical for our current and future success. We believe the continuity established with Mike leading our football team is a very positive step for our organization."

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Zimmer went 18-14 in his first two seasons and helped the Vikings break the Green Bay Packers' four-year stranglehold on the NFC North title last year. Minnesota was only a missed Blair Walsh field goal away from advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Zimmer, who went 7-9 in his first season without the services of suspended running back Adrian Peterson, has elevated a defense that allowed the most points in the league before he arrived. Last year, the Vikings allowed the fifth-fewest points, and they're expected to be formidable again in 2016.

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