There have been a wide-range of 2026 predictions for the Minnesota Vikings this spring. The team’s unsteady quarterback situation gives the Vikings a high ceiling but also a low floor on offense. ESPN’s Ben Solak, though, likes Minnesota’s chances in the NFC North because of Brian Flores and the other side of the ball.
“The Vikings are the only defense I trust in this division…
“Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Brian Flores continues chugging along as the best defensive coordinator in the NFL,” wrote Solak. “His creative maximizations of subpar talent stand above the work done by Philly’s Vic Fangio and Denver’s Vance Joseph on superior rosters. There were important departures this year — Jonathan Greenard, Harrison Smith — but Flores has consistently shown that he can beat the other sideline with X’s and O’s.
“With improved talent at defensive tackle via the draft (Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange), the Vikings’ interior run defense might stiffen up. That has been their Achilles’ heel.”
Solak clarified that he isn’t overly down on the other NFC North teams. The analyst sees the division being “highly competitive” again in 2026.
Last season, all four squads in the NFC North finished above the .500 mark.
But Solak included the Vikings winning the division crown on his July 1 list of 10 predictions for 2026.
How Brian Flores’ Defense Could Be Better in 2026
GettyESPN’s Ben Solak predicted Brian Flores to lead the Minnesota Vikings to an NFC North division title in 2026.
Solak’s point about Flores maximizes what the Vikings get from their defense is well warranted. Minnesota, though, also heavily invested in the defense during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Of the team’s five picks on the first two days, four of them were on defense, including the first three. Despite the losses of key veterans, those rookies — Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, Caleb Tiernan and Jakobe Thomas — will give Flores and the Vikings an opportunity as least as good on defense this fall.
The Vikings also added potential key depth players, cornerback James Pierre and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, in free agency. Flores worked with both of those veterans in his one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2022.
Last season, Flores’ unit was third in yards allowed and seventh in scoring defense. The biggest area where the Vikings could use improvement is run defense. They were 21st in rushing yards allowed per game last season.
Minnesota could partially improve in that area if the team plays with more leads this fall. The Vikings defense was eighth in yards allowed per carry during 2025.
Vikings Projected to Win NFC North
GettyKevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings are trying to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Solak didn’t sound as confident in Minnesota’s offense as he was in the team’s defense. But similar to Flores, the analyst hyped Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ability to get the most out of the offense.
“O’Connell’s aptitude for adjusting his offense to his quarterback remains one of the league’s more impressive skills,” wrote Solak. “It wasn’t just the Darnold year. He did it for Joshua Dobbs as a midseason trade acquisition in 2023. He did it for McCarthy last season, giving him far more out-breaking routes than he had given other passers.
“I have questions about the Vikings’ offensive line and running game, and Murray’s inconsistencies might prove too much for the offense to be truly trustworthy. But I’m confident O’Connell will set him up for success, and Murray has huge earning potential on the free agent market in 2027. He’ll be motivated to perform.”
A lot of pundits might consider Solak’s projection that the Vikings will win the NFC North as a bold prediction. But with Flores and O’Connell, the possibility is pretty clearly on the table.
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