Why Brian Flores Leaves
If, in the end, Brian Flores leaves, then Minnesota will need to determine why.
Most obvious, of course, is the opportunity to become a head coach. As things stand, the lone team to give Coach Flores a shot to interview has been the Baltimore Ravens. There are rumblings within the broader NFL chatter about a spot in Sin City, but there hasn’t yet been a formal interview.
A lateral move — accepting a defensive coordinator position elsewhere — is theoretically possible, though unlikely. Were that to occur, the Vikings’ top decision makers would be left with difficult questions to answer.
(Editor’s Note: Since this article’s publication, Ian Rapoport has reported that the Commanders are targeting Brian Flores to be Washington’s new DC: “The #Commanders are hoping to interview #Vikings DC Brian Flores for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. Flores’ contract is up in Minnesota, so he is able to look at other similar jobs.”).
Why Brian Flores Leaves
Recently, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk chimed in on the situation, describing how Coach Flores is “essentially a free agent at this point, needing only to bide his time until he’s free to leave.” Indeed, Flores is at the end of his contract, so he could take off with ease.
However, Florio indicates that Minnesota thinks he’ll remain: “As we understand it, the Vikings remain confident Flores will be back, unless he lands a head-coaching job.” Some follow-up speculation: “It’s possible, frankly, that the Vikings have a tentative deal with Flores, but that a decision has been made to not put pen to paper until he has exhausted all head-coaching possibilities.”
To finish off the conversation, Florio (a lawyer before becoming a football writer) jumps into discussing the lawsuit from Flores against several NFL teams as it relates to being a head coach again.
Florio’s insight is worthwhile — Minnesota wants Brian Flores to return, as the team’s leadership has stated previously — but there’s something even more important: what the man himself has previously said.
Does Brian Flores like being in Minnesota? Ask and he’ll answer.
His thoughts on a return before the season ended: “If everything lines up and it fits. From a football standpoint, it fits. And I think there’s always a…let’s call it a business part of this. And the football all lines up. And we’ll just see where it all goes.”
The defensive tactician has been quite outspoken about his thoughts on Minnesota, covering essentially every angle with praise.
Working alongside Kevin O’Connell has been great. So, too, does Flores enjoy his staff on the defensive side of the ball. Flores has praised the Wilfs and he loves his players, as well. Note that he has indicated his family enjoys being in Minnesota. I know that fans focus on football when thinking about a football coach, but Flores is a human before he’s a coach. His family’s happiness is a major factor.
If there is no head coach opportunity, then Flores appears very likely to remain.
The lone remaining issue is “business,” a vague term that at once points toward his official job title (such as possibly becoming a head coach) alongside how much he gets paid (likely with other considerations, too). Folks, anything less than handing over top pay would be a major issue for Minnesota.
Seeing him leave the Vikings due to getting more money elsewhere would be akin to fumbling the ball at the 1-yard line with no tacklers in sight. All that needs to happen in that situation is walk the ball across the line; similarly, all that would remain would be to ensure that Brian Flores is well paid.
The Vikings must then continue to support the chef with the ingredients that he wants to use when cooking (think edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, corner Isaiah Rodgers, and so on). Getting paid top dollar, ongoing autonomy to run the defense, and being given the talent he needs should be enough to keep Flores in town.
Flores, 44, is an excellent fit in Minnesota. O’Connell can lean on his overqualified defensive coordinator to lead his side of the ball at an elite level, freeing the head coach to put more hours into the offense.
The franchise needs to continue ensuring that there’s zero reason to leave short of being able to jump into one of the league’s head coach openings.
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