He’s Back*

The Minnesota Vikings and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have agreed on a new contract. Despite repeated attempts over the past year by the Vikings at an extension, the three-year contract Flores signed in 2023 expired last week. Each offseason since has been a wait-and-see as to whether another team would hire him as their next head coach. Through two weeks, this offseason has been no different. Flores is deserving of a head coach opportunity. Selfishly, I hope that teams continue being stupid. 

In a statement released by the team, head coach Kevin O’Connell had this to say about his defensive coordinator:

"Brian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets, and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field. The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I've really valued the relationship we've built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success."

Brian Flores has been an outstanding defensive coordinator for the Vikings. He even had positive results that first season in 2023 with a serious talent void. He’s overseen a rebuild and crafted a defense that consistently wrecks the plans of opposing offenses. Again, Flores has earned a head coach opportunity. A robust 10 teams started this offseason looking for a new head coach. Only two of those teams have brought him in for an interview: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. His only other interview this offseason was with the Washington Commanders for their defensive coordinator position. That was troubling and puzzling for many Vikings fans and beat writers. It’s why there was such relief with yesterday’s news that Flores was signing a new contract with the Vikings. 

Flores is Back*

However, Flores could still get one of the available head coach jobs. Initially, there were 10 head coach vacancies. Four have been filled. Two of the remaining six vacancies are the Steelers and Ravens. Flores might still be in the mix for each. Despite agreeing to the new deal, Flores could still leave for a head coach opportunity. 

Perhaps I’m just being optimistic but I don’t think Flores agrees to this new contract if he really felt like he had a shot at one of the available jobs. After a few years of wading through the league’s annual head coach churn, he’s probably gotten use to being shunned. Teams have essentially been “blackballing” Flores since he was fired by the Miami Dolphins and filed a lawsuit against the NFL as well as the New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos for racist hiring practices. The legal proceedings surrounding the lawsuit have been bouncing around the courts since 2022. It’s must be tough for many of the owners to hire a coach that’s suing the league and three of their rich friends. Criticism from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagavailoa over his style of coaching probably didn’t help things. Getting one of the league’s 32 head coach positions is always a challenging task in the best of circumstances. Since 2022, Flores’ circumstances haven’t been remotely close to the best. It’s an unfortunate situation for an outstanding football coach. Until a team finally pulls their head from their posterior, it appears Flores remains in Minnesota. That’s a very good thing for the Vikings.