The Minnesota Vikings boast an elite coaching staff, led by head coach Kevin O’Connell and prominently featuring defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores has spent the last three seasons as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator and has achieved significant success in that role.
Most recently, his defensive schemes disrupted the Detroit Lions and quarterback Jared Goff, forcing six turnovers during a nationally televised Christmas Day game. Thanks to this dominant defensive performance, the Vikings defeated the NFC’s overall No. 1 seed in 2024 by a score of 23-10. This victory was particularly impressive given that undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer managed just 51 passing yards for Minnesota’s offense throughout the entire game.
Flores has entered the NFL’s offseason coaching cycle as a highly sought-after name before. Currently, the Vikings (8-8) are riding a four-game winning streak, including two wins heavily featuring Brosmer at quarterback. At 44 years old, Flores arguably has more momentum and credibility now than at any point since he was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins following the 2021 season, where he held a career record of 24-25.
Adding to Flores’ standing within the team, Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings’ top cornerback who signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension in March, has been vocal about wanting Flores to remain with the franchise. Murphy didn’t mince words about Flores’ importance:
> “He’s one of the smartest guys when it comes to schemes that I’ve ever been around. So he can’t go anywhere. He’s not allowed to go anywhere. No way.”
> — Byron Murphy Jr., via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert
### Vikings Have Tried to Secure Flores with a Contract Extension
The respect for Flores is shared organization-wide. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on December 27 that the Vikings are actively working to extend Flores’ contract, which is set to expire after the current season.
“Flores, in his third season as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, is in the final year of his contract,” Florio wrote. “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Vikings are currently working toward extending his deal. The Vikings wanted to do it before the 2025 regular season. Flores decided to wait. If he was betting on himself, he won.”
### Potential Head Coaching Opportunities on the Horizon
If Brian Flores is aiming to return to a head coaching role, this offseason could be his best opportunity yet. In February 2022, just over a month after being fired by the Dolphins following a 9-8 campaign, Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and several teams—including the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos—alleging discriminatory hiring practices.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN analyzed eight potential head coaching vacancies this offseason in a December 18 report. However, due to Flores’ ongoing legal disputes with some organizations, a few of these jobs may be difficult for him to pursue.
For example, the New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll during the season and will almost certainly seek a new head coach this offseason. At the same time, the Miami Dolphins could part ways with Mike McDaniel, Flores’ successor in 2022, potentially opening another opportunity.
With multiple head coaching vacancies likely to arise, Flores’ recent success with the Vikings and strong coaching resume position him as one of the most intriguing candidates in the upcoming NFL coaching cycle.
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