Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores spoke with media for the first time in several weeks on Tuesday, December 30, addressing the ubiquitous discussions throughout league circles involving his future in the NFL.
As is often the case with professional athletes and coaches, Flores’ comments were as much about what he did not say as about what he did.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of talk about my personal situation and next year,” Flores said. “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. And I know [head coach Kevin O’Connell] has mentioned there has been great dialogue, and there has. And now we’ll just kind of let the club and my representation handle the rest.”
“As you guys know, I don’t like talking about myself,” Flores continued. “I think our players are doing a lot of great things on the field, and I don’t wanna take away from them in any way. I think if anything, they deserve all the recognition.”
Brian Flores Turned Down Contract Extension With Vikings Last Offseason
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores could have re-signed with the Vikings ahead of this season, though chose not to do so.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Vikings are currently working toward extending his deal,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on December 27. “The Vikings wanted to do it before the 2025 regular season. Flores decided to wait. If he was betting on himself, he won.”
Flores may have been maneuvering to negotiate for a stronger offer in an already solid situation with Minnesota, in which case he now has a fallback position on a new contract that is superior to his already quality circumstances.
But he also could have committed publicly to an extended future with the Vikings on Tuesday and chose not to do so. Florio reported on December 28 that Flores is a top candidate to replace Matt Eberflus as the leader of the Dallas Cowboys‘ defense in 2026, but it appears Flores may have eyes for a position beyond a coordinator’s role.
Brian Flores’ Actions Over Several Years Indicate He Wants Another Shot as NFL Head Coach
GettyDefensive Coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings hired Flores, now 44 years old, as their defensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 campaign. He spent the previous campaign as a defensive assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers following his firing by the Miami Dolphins after a three-year stint as head coach of that organization (24-25 overall record).
Flores sued the league following his termination, as well as the Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans for discriminatory hiring practices in a class-action lawsuit that remains ongoing. Several reporters and analysts around the NFL have speculated as to whether that might impede Flores’ chances of getting another head coaching job at any point in his future.
Minnesota afforded Flores the platform to validate his skills as a defensive architect, at which he has succeeded spectacularly. As many as eight head coaching positions could come available in the offseason, though the Giants and Dolphins are among them.
Thus, a reasonable assumption is that Flores could have as many as six opportunities to interview for the head coaching role that he clearly believes he deserves. If even one team agrees with him, that could be it for Flores’ time with the Vikings.
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