The Minnesota Vikings‘ defensive coaching staff could look vastly different for the 2026 NFL season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a free agent with his current contract expiring.
As a result, he might be holding out for a potential head coaching job or, at the very least, look to become one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the league, whether that’s with the Vikings or another team. Moreover, Minnesota could lose not only Flores but also his potential replacement this offseason.
On Jan. 8, Todd Archer, who covers the Dallas Cowboys for ESPN, reported, citing multiple sources, that the Cowboys have requested permission to speak with Minnesota defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
Jones isn’t alone on the list of candidates Dallas reportedly wants to speak to, as Denver Broncos assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard and Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda are also on the list.
Moreover, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added to the initial report that Jones would be on a very short list to replace Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator if Flores departs.
Vikings’ Brian Flores Remains a HC Candidate
Flores, on the other hand, has an interview for a head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens to potentially replace John Harbaugh, who was fired this week. Moreover, Albert Breer of SI.com reported on Jan. 8, citing a source, that Flores’ interview with the Ravens will happen next week.
It seems Flores will be willing to be patient and go through the head coaching interview process. However, for Minnesota, losing Jones would be a significant hit, especially if Flores does get a head coaching job. Now, the Vikings could also be willing to wait and see if Flores gets a head coaching job.
Should Flores not get a job as a head coach and needs to settle for a defensive coordinator position, Minnesota could be willing to give him a blank check to ensure that he stays with the Vikings and doesn’t head elsewhere for the same role.
On Dec. 28, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with reporters and shared his thoughts on Flores’ future.
“We have [had contract extension talks]; it goes back a long way before those reports,” O’Connell told reporters. “We’ve had recent [and] very good dialogue. Flo knows I love him. He was the guy three years ago that I identified to bring in here, and the growth, and just our relationship, and what he’s meant to me personally is so massive.
“That’s not even taken into account what he’s been able to do defensively for our team and been such a huge part of helping us daily, minute to minute, weather the different storms we had to navigate this year. Things are in a really positive place right now. I absolutely want Brian Flores to be the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings as long as we can have him.”
Vikings Will Do Everything to Keep Brian Flores
Moreover, O’Connell knows that Flores has become a popular name in recent weeks, considering how the Vikings’ defense has performed during this four-game win streak. Nonetheless, he noted that they will do their best to keep him in Minnesota.
“I would say this: I do know that he’s demonstrated a lot of things that, having gone through the process of the head coach hiring process before myself, I imagine he’s going to be a pretty popular guy there as well,” O’Connell added. “And rightly so, he’s earned everything. And that doesn’t take away from the route we want to go to make sure our defense coordinator here for the foreseeable future.”
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