2 Vikings Coaches Have Big Days on Friday
The Minnesota Vikings finished a fantastic regular season with a 14-3 record but ultimately failed to do any damage in the postseason, getting bounced immediately by Sean McVay’s Rams. However, Kevin O’Connell’s staff includes some intriguing names and hot candidates for league-wide promotions.
2 Vikings Coaches Have Big Interview Days on Friday
Everyone is well aware of Brian Flores’ attempt to return to the top ranks of NFL coaching. He has been eyeing head coaching gigs for a while and, unlike last offseason, has actually landed some interviews.
Because the Vikings were a wild-card team, he couldn’t interview last week. This is his big weekend, though.
Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz reported, “Sources: Vikings DC Brian Flores will interview with the Jets and Jaguars on Friday, and the Bears on Saturday for their head coaching jobs. Flores is a top candidate in this year’s cycle after two strong years in Minnesota.”
Flores was hired in the 2023 offseason to repair the uninspiring defensive unit after Ed Donatell’s supervision. The first year was exciting because of the unusual approach of blitzing on seemingly every other down, but the results were still up and down.
In the 2024 season, however, Flores’ unit ranked in the top five in various efficiency metrics and allowed only 19.5 points per game.
The defensive coordinator brings the defensive wisdom to be an intriguing candidate, and he has head coaching experience. Although he didn’t leave Miami on a good note, he still turned around a franchise with a horrendous roster to win nine games in each of his second and third campaigns.
On Friday’s docket are the Jets and the Jaguars. The Jets have an intriguing defensive roster, and Flores surely could form one of the elite units in the NFL with those players. A problem is the quarterback position, though. Aaron Rodgers’ status is in question as he might retire. And even if he doesn’t, he’s the type of guy that can cause headaches.
The Jaguars have a quarterback. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t lived up to his draft hype, but he has been at least an average quarterback in the NFL. In addition to that, the Jaguars also have a talented defense.
Both franchises have a tendency to fire coaches quickly, which is why any candidate should approach the job with caution.
The Bears, who are scheduled to meet with Flores on Saturday, have the same problem. They need a leader who can calm down a chaotic franchise.
In addition to Flores, the Vikings might lose assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski. Primarily working as J.J. McCarthy’s mentor, Udinksi has earned a second interview with the Seahawks for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling outlined his numerous jobs: “His unofficial roles include: mentor to McCarthy; post-practice pass rusher or receiver for Sam Darnold; advance scout and practice lieutenant for Phillips; complement to QB coach Josh McCown; ‘Crazy Grant’ to O’Connell’s kids; confidant, protégé and occasional comedic target for O’Connell.”
The Seahawks parted ways with their one-year OC Ryan Grubb and need a new mind on the side of quarterback Geno Smith. The passer dramatically regressed in a strange pass-heavy offense that didn’t give enough touches to an excellent running back group.
Udinski is competing with former Vikings OC Klint Kubiak, who has two years as offensive coordinator under his belt, while he is relatively inexperienced. However, Minnesota’s assistant could be a guy who is rising up the coaching ladder rather quickly in the next few years.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt