Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on July 25th, 2024. Flores was hired in February 2023 to take over for Ed Donatell after Minnesota finished 30th in points allowed.
The Minnesota Vikings have played two games this season, and the defense looks incredible. Sure, the New York Giants aren’t any sort of juggernaut, but the San Francisco 49ers played for a Super Bowl last season. Brian Flores has his unit looking like something we haven’t seen in years.
Brian Flores has gotten a reputation for bringing the house on a consistent basis against opposing offenses. He didn’t need to dial up any serious pressure against the New York Giants, yet Minnesota got to Daniel Jones on multiple occasions. On Sunday, his unit added six more sacks against the 49ers and Brock Purdy. Their 11 total sacks are the best in the NFL through two weeks.
The Vikings’ secondary was considered questionable all offseason. They addressed that fear at the last minute by signing aging superstar Stephon Gilmore. They have allowed just a single passing touchdown while picking off opposing quarterbacks on three separate occasions. Minnesota has given up the fifth most passing yards in the league thus far, but their opponents have been in comeback situations for most of the games.
Jordan Mason rushed for 100 yards against the Vikings, including a 22-yard gain. Flores’s defense has still given up the 8th fewest yards on the ground through the first two weeks. They made Devin Singletary look mediocre in Week 1, and Daniel Jones didn’t exactly burn them with his legs, either.
Ivan Pace Jr. returned for his sophomore season, looking to break out even further. He is paired with Minnesota native Blake Cashman this time around, and the tandem has done well in complementing one another. The secondary has held up just fine, and Harrison Smith looks like he has found the fountain of youth.
After turning over the edge position from last season, everyone has contributed. Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel have each taken turns standing out. Jonathan Greenard recorded a QB hit on Saturday, and Pat Jones came out of nowhere to pick up a pair of sacks.
Brian Flores’s impact was felt last season, but he would still need time to coach up the talent he had. After working with a majority of that group for a year and bringing in reinforcements, it seems as though the Vikings could truthfully have an impressive defensive unit.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.