Vikings' Offensive Coordinator Resigns

By ESPN

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned Wednesday, following the team's second straight loss.

"I have tremendous respect for [head coach] Mike Zimmer, our coaching staff and our players and at this time I think it is in the best interest of the team to step down," Turner said in a statement. "I thank the Wilf family for my time here in Minnesota and want to see our players and coaches achieve success."

After Turner surprised Zimmer on Wednesday morning with his resignation, Turner told ESPN's Ed Werder, "I think it's just we have different views on where the offense was going."

Zimmer said later Wednesday that he was "very, very surprised" by the resignation, and called Turner, 64, a "very good friend of mine."

The resignation seemed to stem from a philosophical difference between Turner and Zimmer. As early as the 2014 off-season, Zimmer had gone to then-Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in order to pick his brain on offense, to be more educated in order to evaluate things for himself.

Zimmer also announced that he had a minor procedure on Tuesday for a torn retina.

Pat Shurmur, who was hired this offseason as the Vikings' tight ends coach, will be the interim offensive coordinator.

The Vikings lost 20-10 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Monday night, their second loss after a 5-0 start. They lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 21-10 on Oct. 23.

Thursday, November 3 Schedule (Time Central)

Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, November 6 Schedule (All Times Central)

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, noon

Dallas at Cleveland, noon

Jacksonville at Kansas City, noon

New York Jets at Miami, noon

Philadelphia at New York Giants, noon

Detroit at Minnesota, noon

Carolina at Los Angeles, 3:05 p.m.

New Orleans at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

Tennessee at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

Indianapolis at Green Bay, 3:25 p.m.

Denver at Oakland, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, November 7 Schedule (Time Central)

Buffalo at Seattle, 7:30 p.m.