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Report: Brad Childress on Hot Seat in Minnesota

Criticism of Vikings head coach Brad Childress is far from a novelty. With a 2-5 record, however, criticism may be on its way to becoming actual action.

Childress was again maligned for his play-calling, clock management, leadership and game plan following the team's loss to the Patriots — including by Randy Moss, who apparently attempted to offer the coaching staff inside information about the Patriots that would have been useful, but was not listened to.

According to Judd Zulgad, who covers the Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Childress "could be in trouble."

While a mid-season firing is often a white flag for a season — something hard to fathom given that this is Brett Favre's "last hurrah" — the Vikings are well situated to replace the man whom many regard as an average coordinator masquerading as a head coach. Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has interviewed for many head coaching positions and is likely to hold such a position soon enough. If Childress is fired, he will likely be the replacement, Zulgad speculates.

The Vikings are not quite out of playoff contention and next play struggling Arizona, but if Childress and Minnesota continue their losing ways despite being nearly an identical team to the 2009 squad that barely missed the Super Bowl, the Brad Childress era could mercifully come to an end.