MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is seemingly a popular guy lately.

The Minnesota Vikings have begun the search for a new coach by seeking interviews with an initial slate of seven candidates, including Hackett.

According to a person with knowledge of the process, speaking Saturday on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the organization was not publicizing the requests, the Vikings also asked to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

With the rival Packers on a first-round bye for the playoffs, Hackett was allowed to talk to teams this weekend. He completed an interview Saturday with the Denver Broncos for their opening. In his third season with the Packers, Hackett is in his eighth year as an offensive coordinator in the NFL.

The Buccaneers, Eagles, Cowboys, Rams and 49ers were all playing postseason games Sunday or Monday. Win or lose, all candidates would be allowed to interview after their first-round game.

The Vikings fired Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman earlier this week, after a second straight year missing the playoffs.

Team ownership plans to fill the general manager job first to give that person input into the critical decision of hiring the coach, but there are seven other teams — the Dolphins, Texans, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants — also with a vacancy so the Vikings can’t afford to fall too far behind.