The one bright spot in a disappointing season for the Minnesota Vikings has been the performance of their defense. Nearly every week the Vikings’ defense has kept them in the game as the offense struggled.
As it stands currently, the Vikings defense ranks 10th in points allowed, despite the Vikings’ offense leading the league in turnovers and offensive average drive stats in terms of time, plays, and yards all ranking in the bottom five in the league. The defense also ranks 5th in yards allowed, 1st
in redzone TD conversion rate allowed, 5th in 3rd down conversion rate allowed, and inside the top ten in both net yards per pass attempt allowed and net yards per rush attempt allowed. It also ranks 6th in DVOA.
And the Vikings’ defense has managed this all without a single Pro Bowl player or any starter with a PFF season grade higher than 75 or graded in the top 25 players at their position.
That clearly indicates a defense that is more than the sum of its individual player abilities and performance. And when that is the case, coaching and scheme get the credit for the outperformance.
In other words, without Brian Flores as defensive coordinator the Vikings’ defense would have been a lot worse this season, and probably a lot worse. That makes extending Brian Flores, whose contract expires at the end of the season, a top priority for the Vikings if they want to have any chance at competing for a playoff spot next season or anytime soon really.
Flores Wants Another Shot as a Head Coach
The complicating factor for the Vikings is that Flores wants another shot at a head coaching gig. So far, Flores hasn’t been mentioned as a leading head coaching candidate this cycle, nor has he appeared on any head-coach-needy team’s list of candidates. But that could change.
The issue with Flores is that he has an active lawsuit against the NFL over discrimination in coaching hires. His disclosure of Miami Dolphins team owner Stephen Ross allegedly offering Flores $100,000 per loss to encourage Flores to tank during the 2019 season- which Flores allegedly refused. Those things may make team owners uncomfortable with Flores as a head coach. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s comments about Flores being, “a terrible person” doesn’t help either.
Still, Flores’ record as a head coach isn’t nearly as bad as his three-year stint with the dysfunctional Dolphins would suggest. He inherited a terrible and long-time dysfunctional team and produced two winning seasons in three years. And his ability as a defensive coach and play-caller is top-notch.
Vikings Could Encourage Flores to Stay with a Top Offer
One thing the Vikings could do to show their appreciation for Flores is to come in early with an offer to make him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the league.
They might also give him an assistant head coach title and perhaps even a title under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah that gives him a greater role over personnel decisions. Flores was a scout for several years in his early years with the New England Patriots and has done a great job evaluating defensive talent for the Vikings. It’s also something he said he enjoys perhaps even more than coaching.
But timing is also a consideration. Presenting Flores with a top offer and additional title(s) now, in advance of any potential head coaching or other defensive coordinator offers, will likely go a long way in showing Flores he is valued by the Vikings and convincing Flores to stay in Minnesota- which he says he and his family likes.
Flores Will Likely Test the Market
While a top offer to extend Flores may well temper his enthusiasm for a job elsewhere- either as a defensive coordinator or head coach- It would be surprising if Flores accepted such an offer before testing the coaching market. But a top offer from the Vikings may well limit the opportunities Flores is willing to consider.
For example, shortly before he accepted the Vikings’ offer to be defensive coordinator in 2023, he took himself out of consideration for the head coaching vacancy in Arizona. So, Flores may well be cautious about what opportunities he is willing to pursue, particularly given his experience in Miami.
And given that Flores does not appear to be a top head coaching candidate at this point, potential offers may come from less attractive franchises that Flores may well turn down or otherwise not pursue.
But hopefully for the Vikings, Brian Flores accepts a contract extension that will keep him in Minnesota for at least another year.
