The Overlooked Benefit of Hiring Brian Flores
K. Joudry
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Since before the season ended, Vikings fans and writers have been discussing how to improve the beleaguered defense. Moving on from Ed Donatell, in the minds of many, seemed like a foregone conclusion. The swift defeat to the Giants further sealed that decision, setting Minnesota on a path toward finding a new DC. Hiring Brian Flores may be the absolute best outcome from the slow, nerve-wracking search.
The Upside of Hiring Brian Flores
For a variety of reasons, Miami’s decision to move on from Flores was controversial. After all, his teams played well.
In 2020, the defensive mastermind coached his squad to a 10-6 record, largely due to his 6th-ranked defense. In 2021, the team experienced a step back – a 9-8 record and 16th-ranked defense – but things may not have been as discouraging as it seemed. The defense only dipped from allowing 21.1 points per game to 21.9 points per game, far from a catastrophic downturn.
After the news emerged that the Dolphins were firing Flores, several players expressed their dismay. Even players around the NFL articulated their shock.
Folks, that means something. The players aren’t stupid. The players understand who is and isn’t a good coach. Flores is a good coach.
Not too long after the news came out that Minnesota is hiring Brian Flores, some Vikings even joined in on the excitement:
Obviously, it’s good to see some indication that players currently on the roster are enthused about the hire. Minnesota needs talent already present to elevate since there’s simply no way the team can completely remake the defense with exclusively external talent. Much of the progress needs to come from within the current parameters of the roster.
That being said, one has to think that adding Flores makes bringing in external talent easier. It’s a possibility that may be overlooked in the broader enthusiasm.
Players, more often than not, like playing for coaches who allow them to thrive. Defensive linemen want to get sacks; defensive backs want to make plays on the ball. How fun is it for a linebacker to shoot through the line to pickup a TFL? Football is such a grind; so much work and preparation goes into every game. This isn’t basketball or hockey where there are 3 or 4 games in a week. Each game is its own event; getting to make impact plays on Sunday is tremendously gratifying.
Make no mistake: playing for a coach who puts his guys in a position to succeed is highly desirable.
One also wonders about some of the veterans staring down tough conversations about their cap hits. Does adding Flores make veterans like Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Za’Darius Smith, and Jordan Hicks more open to a team-friendly restructure? Inspiring belief in what the team can accomplish in 2023 is an important motivator, especially for veterans who are looking to win.
One also thinks of talented internal free agents like Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelly, Khyiris Tonga, and Dalvin Tomlinson. What does the Flores addition do with those negotiations? Peterson – a great veteran – would be a nice piece in Flores’ defense. Ditto for the scrappy Shelley.
The Free Agent Talent
There have been a few FA Fits articles right here on PurplePTSD. Defensively, there has been some chatter about LB David Long and EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Before free agency arrives in mid March, there will be much more analysis of free agents who could help the purple and gold to thrive.
The Vikings will be considering plenty of free agent options. Getting corner help from high-end players like Jamel Dean, James Bradberry, and/or Cameron Sutton suddenly feels more likely. Improving the pass rush by adding on a Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, of Daron Payne also appears more plausible.
In the coming weeks, we’re going to see Kwesi Adofo-Mensah do much to get the finances in order. The GM needs to partner with his HC and newly-hired DC to ensure the Vikings have the necessary talent to show dramatic improvement in 2023. Just take a look at how things have looked for the defense over these past 3 seasons:
- 2020: 29.7 Points Against per Game, 29th.
- 2021: 25.1 Points Against per Game, 24th.
- 2022: 25.1 Points Against per Game, 28th.
Is it realistic to expect this team to get back to its 2019 level when it finished 5th by allowing an average of 18.9 points per game? Probably not, but the potential is there to unleash a significantly more intimidating, imposing defense.
All of the sudden, the pursuit of back-to-back 13-4 seasons doesn’t feel nearly as unlikely. Much remains to be accomplished and the hard work is just beginning. Rest assured, though, that Brian Flores is a good coach.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
