There’s a New Offseason Priority for the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have one game remaining on the schedule before entering an offseason that could bring many changes in the coaching staff and the roster. The future of one guy — Brian Flores — is the main item on the offseason checklist.
Thursday Showed Retaining Brian Flores Is Key
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is in his third season with the Vikings, and his contract is set to expire. If he’s getting the chance to become a head coach in the NFL, he’ll likely take that job, given that he has tried to generate interest over the last four years since the Miami Dolphins axed him.
There’s a chance, however, that he doesn’t get that interest from the NFL. Clouded by the ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and his past with the Dolphins, which included a broken relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Flores has always and will continue to scare some owners away. If he’s once again snubbed, Flores will be the top coordinator on the market and can pick his next employer.
Minnesota’s pitch is simple. He has built his defensive unit over three years, using draft picks and free-agent money to assemble a squad that is among the best in the business and can win games despite only three passing yards on offense. Players like Andrew Van Ginkel and Joshua Metellus fit his system perfectly, and he won’t just find those guys elsewhere.
Furthermore, he has total autonomy on defense. Kevin O’Connell has allowed him to do his thing. Not every head coach would give him that kind of freedom.
NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported last week, “Another issue to address: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ contract is up after the season. The Vikings hope to work out a deal to retain him.”
Since taking over in 2023, his defense ranks third in the NFL in EPA/Play behind the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans. In points per game allowed, the Vikings rank 6th in that span with 20.5.
That includes a first season in which the defensive roster had concerns across the board. Just to name a couple: D.J. Wonnum was the second pass-rusher, and Akayleb Evans started at corner.
His players surely love him. Safety Harrison Smith returned for his age-36 season to play for him. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote after the defensive dominance over the Detroit Lions, “The pairing of Smith with defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been — and continues to be — one of the ultimate player-coach marriages. Smith understands Flores’ vision. In Smith, Flores has a player he trusts to carry out that vision. It’s possible Smith would have passed up playing the 2025 season if Flores weren’t still in his role. It’s also possible that the Vikings would be vying for a top-three draft pick if it weren’t for their defense.”
Smith has mentioned how much he enjoys playing in his defensive system. He’s near the line of scrimmage and can use his legendary disguises all game.
Thursday’s Christmas game against the Detroit Lions showed how good a unit he has built. Despite missing key starters Metellus and Jonathan Greenard, his group totally dominated the division rivals.
But what if Flores decided to head elsewhere to coordinate another team? Sure, Van Ginkel, Smith, and Metellus won’t be there, but perhaps a decent quarterback? Imagine a head-coaching-needy team poaches Rams DC Chris Shule, and Flores has a chance to take over the loaded defensive side of the field.
Sean McVay’s offense will always be explosive, especially with Matthew Stafford, and Flores could put himself in the spotlight on a contending franchise rather than fight for .500 records in Minnesota with subpar quarterback play wasting an absolute juggernaut of a defense.
The head coaching carousel will gain steam in the upcoming weeks, and it remains to be seen which teams actually look for a new skipper.
Flores will have options around the league, either as a head coach or defensive coordinator. For the Vikings, keeping Flores is a priority.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.