Why Brian Flores is (Probably) Thrilled
Maybe not as relentlessly optimistic as Kevin O’Connell, but Brian Flores is fairly positive in his outlook. Or, at the very least, someone who stays pretty even-keeled while working through the difficulties of an NFL season.
One wonders if the DC is thrilled.
For a little while, there has been some concern about Coach Flores from Vikings fans. The defensive coordinator seems too good to be a defensive coordinator, instead appearing to be someone who deserves one of the top 32 jobs in the NFL. Put differently, Flores deserves another shot at being a head coach. As a result, there’s been some consternation about losing the well-respected coach, but one wonders if keeping him happy in Minnesota could play into retaining the one affectionately referred to as a “Mad Scientist.”
Brian Flores Must be Thrilled
Start off with just a recent headline: edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel has been extended.
Step back from that basic update and consider the well-known fact: the defender first entered the NFL while Brian Flores was the head coach in Miami. Bringing him to Minnesota was therefore a reunion for the coach and player, one that led Van Ginkel toward being named to the Pro Bowl, being a second-team All Pro, and finishing 7th in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Surely, Flores is pleased to continue working alongside the pass rusher with luscious locks. “The Mad Scientist” needs certain ingredients to complete his experiments. Van Ginkel is a key part of the mix.
Step back a bit further and consider the decision to bring corner Isaiah Rodgers to town. Easy to miss, perhaps, since there’s no coach/player connection in the same manner as Andrew Van Ginkel, but that addition came after a request from the DC.
Coach Flores wanted Rodgers; Coach Flores got Rodgers. The reality may seem simple, but we shouldn’t overlook the importance. Not every team functions with that kind of internal harmony, one where the front office seeks to work collaboratively with the coaching staff to ensure that the players being brought to town fit the specifics of what the coaches want.
Keep in mind, as well, that other investments have been made to ensure that Coach Flores has what he needs. Tossing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave into the mix for the DC’s defensive line is a nice bit of business. So, too, was the decision to retain Aaron Jones (deemed part of the defense by Flores), get Byron Murphy back on a beefy deal (rejecting all suitors), and get ahead of the sticks with Theo Jackson (someone whom Flores likes). Surely, retaining Harrison Smith was met with applause, too.
Oh, and keep Dallas Turner in mind. Has a defensive coordinator ever been unenthusiastic about the prospect of working with a young, supremely-gifted prospect? Not likely, folks.
Keep in mind, as well, that Brian Flores appears to have quite a bit of autonomy when it comes to his side of the ball. Do you know what accomplished, highly-competent employees hate in a workplace? Being micromanaged. Do you know what accomplished, highly-competent employees appreciate in a workplace? Being being given the leeway to do their job (and at a high level, no less).
Partner these realities with past comments from Brian Flores that explain how his family has enjoyed calling Minnesota home. Yes, the defensive architect will openly discuss wanting another shot to steer the ship, but one’s family is mighty important. Hopefully, remaining in Minnesota remains a positive for Flores and his family.
A cherry on top is how much the team has been improving under his tutelage. Consider some of the numbers:
| Year | Points/Game | Yards/Game | Comp. % Allowed | Avg. Rush Yards Per Carry |
| 2023 | 21.3 (13th) | 333 (16th) | 70.3% (32nd) | 3.8 (t-4th) |
| 2024 | 19.5 (5th) | 335 (16th) | 65.1% (15th) | 4.1 (t-4th) |
The defense has been moving in the right direction under Flores’ leadership, a gratifying reality for a coach who is constantly chasing improvement. The FA additions alongside the draft pickups — DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and LB Kobe King — will hopefully equip Flores with the ability to push things even higher.
Brian Flores, 44, has held a variety of positions in his NFL career. Previously, Flores has been a scout while also putting in work for New England’s defense, offense, and special teams. He was the Dolphins head coach before becoming an assistant for Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.
The hope for many in Minnesota is that Flores will keep calling Minnesota home for a long, long time.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.