Good News Could Be on the Way for Brian Flores
The first portion of the 2025 offseason for Brian Flores involved head coaching opportunities and fans wondering, “Will he or won’t he?” leave the Minnesota Vikings.
Good News Could Be on the Way for Brian Flores
Flores ultimately stayed put after striking out with head coaching gigs (Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars), returning to Minnesota for Year No. 3 in 2025.
And when he does so, Flores might have a sweet new contract extension, according to Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling. “My understanding is they want to get new deals done for both of those guys this spring,” Goessling said last week about Flores and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips on a podcast.
“I think one of the reasons O’Connell wanted the deal, and one of the stipulations was, ‘I want to take care of my staff.’ I think special teams coordinator Matt Daniels will probably end up in these contract discussions as well, but that is the next thing on the list from a coaching perspective.”
Flores turned the Vikings’ defense around rather quickly, and in fact, his group ranked second in the NFL last season per EPA/Play. He earned HC attention accordingly. Fans will be excited to have him back for a third act. Flores interviewed with the aforementioned Bears, Jaguars, and Jets this offseason, but those franchises hired Ben Johnson, Liam Coen, and Aaron Glenn, respectively.
In January, Flores expressed interest in one particular job: the New England Patriots head coaching spot.
“I would say yes,” Flores replied to reporters when asked if he’d take an interview for New England’s top gig. The Patriots somewhat unexpectedly fired first-year skipper Jerod Mayo in January, a former coworker of Flores’.
Extensions for Flores and Phillips make sense because, well, why not? With O’Connell in charge, the Vikings own the NFL’s sixth-best record since the start of 2022 (34-17, .667). Phillips has been by O’Connell’s side for the whole ride, with Flores joining one year “late” after a failed experiment involving ex-defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.
Minnesota has embarked on a brave new era of coaching continuity following years of annual upheaval.
Flores is already one of the highest-paid coordinators in the business, and his extension should be no different.
He finished second in voting for the NFL’s Assistant Coach of the Year behind Detroit Lions offensive boss Ben Johnson, who took a head coaching gig with the Chicago Bears this offseason.
Flores turned 44 last month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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