Frazier’s contract extension appears near

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is entering the final year of his contract, but talks for an extension are expected to start soon.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he isn’t worrying about a contract extension, but he also said Tuesday he and Vikings ownership will talk soon.

Frazier, who is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed in January 2011, led the Vikings to a 10-6 record in his second full season as a head coach. That is expected to warrant him a contract extension in the near future.

He said discussions with his agent haven’t started yet, “but we will have those discussions.”

“I haven’t had a chance to talk with (the Wilf ownership group) at this point. These last 48 hours in the building have been meeting with players and talking with them about the future and so on, and some other things in their lives,” Frazier said Tuesday. “But eventually we will talk and (I’m) not worried about it. Things will work out just fine. Not worried at all.”

Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf attended Frazier’s press conference to wrap up the season, and he and his brother Zygi have been pleased with the progress the team made in 2012.

Frazier, formerly the team’s defensive coordinator, first took over the Vikings on an interim basis after Brad Childress was fired 10 games into the 2010 season. Frazier directed them to a 3-3 finish and was awarded a three-year contract shortly after that season ended.

During the 2011 and 2012 offseasons, the team parted ways with numerous veterans who were key contributors in the past and made a conscious and public effort to get younger. After a 3-13 season in 2011, the team made the franchise’s biggest improvement in wins from one season to the next, getting seven more wins in 2012 on their way to a 10-6 record.

“I’ve been told a number of times from Mark and Zygi and (general manager Rick Spielman) they are pleased with the job we’ve done this season,” Frazier said. “I’m very appreciative of their support throughout the year. Very appreciative.”

Frazier’s calm sideline presence and low-key approach to practices has been embraced by players. He is quick to praise players and hesitant to publicly criticize them. The same is true with his coaching staff.

“Just to develop the camaraderie on our staff leading up to the season was a big deal,” Frazier said, citing offseason practices and coaching the North squad at last year’s Senior Bowl. “So the reflection for me is just seeing how things came together through this offseason so that we could set a foundation for the regular season. That is something I’m pleased about – the way our players responded and the way our coaches were able to develop our players. Big deal.”

It hasn’t resulted in a big-deal extension yet, but that appears to be only a matter of time.

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Tim Yotter is the publisher of Viking Update. Follow Viking Update on Twitter and discuss this topic on our message boards. To become a subscriber to the Viking Update web site or magazine, click here.

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