Brian Flores Staying Just Got More Likely
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores remains a significant puzzle piece in the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason. Wednesday and Thursday were massive days for those who want him to remain with the organization.
Let’s start with Wednesday. The Vikings announced Flores’ contract extension. His deal had expired, allowing him not only to pursue head coaching opportunities but also to transfer elsewhere for a lateral move. The extension shut down at least the latter.
While breaking the news, national reporter Tom Pelissero noted via social media, “The Vikings have signed defensive coordinator Brian Flores to a new contract, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport. Flores is still a candidate with the Steelers and Ravens head coaching jobs. But if he doesn’t land one of those, he’ll stay in Minnesota.”
Only two of the ten franchises with a head coaching vacancy this offseason have interviewed Flores: The Ravens and the Steelers.
That brings us to Thursday’s major development in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens announced their agreement with Chargers DC Jesse Minter. That opening is no longer there. Suddenly, Flores is down to only one chance. He’ll either get the gig in Pittsburgh or remain with the Vikings for the 2026 campaign.
Flores interviewed for the Steelers vacancy this week and is considered one of the finalists.
Mark Maske of the Washington Post commented this week on social media, “Brian Flores, Chris Shula and Mike McCarthy are regarded by some connected to the league-wide hiring process as strong contenders for the Steelers’ job.”
Shula is still in the playoff race with the Los Angeles Rams. The defensive coordinator is currently preparing to face Sam Darnold and his Seattle Seahawks. Mike McCarthy was fired by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2024 season. He has a lot of experience, leading the Packers through most of the Aaron Rodgers years (13 years), including a Super Bowl, and the Cowboys for five years. Others could enter that group of finalists, of course.
Either way, with an exit for another DC job and for the Ravens top job out of the equation, Flores’ chances to coordinate Minnesota’s defensive unit in 2026 skyrocketed. That’s certainly positive news for all Vikings fans, as his side of the ball was the only reason why the Vikings ended up with a respectable 9-8 season despite the quarterback disaster slowing down the offense.
Over the last two years, his defense has ranked near the top of the league in multiple advanced defensive metrics. The Vikings have the league’s best defensive EPA/Play in that span. In DVOA, the Vikings’ defense ranked 2nd in 2024 and 3rd in 2025.
Flores runs a unique defensive system that features blitzes unlike any other coach. His zone coverage behind those blitzes is mainly built to prevent explosive plays and to confuse quarterbacks, and it has worked tremendously well, especially since the front is disruptive with players such as (among others) Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Jalen Redmond.
“There’s a lot of talk about my personal situation, and next year,” Flores said in the final week of the regular season. “Look, I’ve said this many times. I’ve loved my time here in Minnesota. My family loves it. The state of Minnesota has been tremendous to me. I know [Kevin O’Connell] mentioned there has been great dialogue, and there has. I said this many times, I’ve loved my time here in Minnesota.”
Flores for a fourth season in the State of 10,000 Lakes has gotten more likely.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
You must be logged in to post a comment.