Three Strikes: Is Brian Flores Officially Coming Back as the Vikings’ DC in 2025?

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

To a certain extent, disappointing news for Brian Flores, someone capable of being an NFL head coach. However, many Vikings fans will be encouraged by the increased likelihood of keeping the blitzing specialist at defensive coordinator.

The latest update has been that Flores’ three top head coach options — Chicago, Jacksonville, and New York — have been dwindling. On Wednesday, the official news dropped about Lions DC Aaron Glenn taking over with the Jets. Ian Rapoport shared the word: “He’s home: The #Jets have a deal for Aaron Glenn to be their new head coach, sources say, as the former NYJ first-rounder lands with his old team.”

Brian Flores & The Vikings’ DC Spot in 2025

The momentum certainly appeared to support Glenn ending up with the Jets.

Josina Anderson reported that the deal was upcoming: “Breaking: I’m told that #Lions DC Aaron Glenn has made it known he’s planning to take the #Jets head coach job, as early as yesterday, per multiple league sources. This is the expectation still, barring a major setback or flub.”

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Glenn, no doubt, has proven to a good coach. The Lions’ defense got walloped by injury in 2024 and Detroit’s DC found a way of coaching up a strong group. Detroit finished as the NFC’s No. 1 team behind a 15-2 record, in no small part due to a 7th-ranked defense that allowed an average of 20.1 points against per game.

What would have been possible with a full season of Aidan Hutchinson?

Recently, Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune noted that the Jets appeared to be “Flores’ best shot for a head coaching job (barring interest from one of the teams that hasn’t yet interviewed him).” The door has closed on that option, so one wonders if that means Flores has struck out in 2025.

NFL Executives Were Impressed by the Vikings 2023 Draft
Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The latest news coming out of Minnesota has been the extension for Kevin O’Connell. Presumably, that development is being met with applause from Coach Flores, someone who seems to enjoy working alongside O’Connell.

Plus, the extension for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in the works, as well. Or, put differently, a deal for the man responsible for equipping Flores with players like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Ivan Pace Jr., and others.

The best team in the recent NFL, indisputably, has been the Kansas City Chiefs. Leading that team is Andy Reid at head coach, Steve Spagnuolo at defensive coordinator, and Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. At present, the Vikings aren’t close to that lofty ideal, but it’s the goal they’re chasing. Can the trio of Kevin O’Connell at head coach, Brian Flores at defensive coordinator, and J.J. McCarthy at quarterback get Minnesota to where it wants to go?

The 2025 season may offer the first clue.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.


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, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.