Aaron Rodgers defends Vikings coach Mike Zimmer despite 1-5 start

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a Most Valuable Player candidate and has his team atop the NFC North at 5-1. At the other end of the standings are the disappointing Minnesota Vikings, a club that dropped five of six games to open the season and that could consider moving on from coach Mike Zimmer early next year, if not sooner. 

Rodgers thinks the Vikings need to give Zimmer more time. 

"He's a phenomenal coach," Rodgers said during his Wednesday media availability, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "I was telling a friend of mine, to see (Zimmer) mentioned to be on the hot seat, to me, is absolutely crazy. I think he's one of the best coaches in the league and has been for a long time.

"They don't all give you the trouble and the scheme that Mike does. I have a lot of respect for the way he coaches and the way he especially coaches defense."

It's worth noting that Rodgers encountered few difficulties versus the Minnesota defense in the season-opening 43-34 win, as the 36-year-old completed 32-of-44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers currently leads the NFL in QBR (85.4), and he matched 17 TD throws with only two interceptions across the first six games of the campaign.