One of the uncertainties early in this offseason for the Minnesota Vikings is whether they will have a new defensive coordinator for the 2026 NFL season. Brian Flores’ contract is expiring, and there’s the potential that he lands a head coaching job.
Nonetheless, Flores can whiff on this cycle and be one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators. So, where does that leave the Vikings in all of this? NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio shared an update on Flores’ future with the Vikings.
“[Flores is] essentially a free agent at this point, needing only to bide his time until he’s free to leave,” Florio wrote on Jan. 12 in his report for Pro Football Talk.
“As we understand it, the Vikings remain confident Flores will be back, unless he lands a head-coaching job. Of the eight openings, Flores has publicly emerged as a potential candidate, so far, only with the Ravens.
“It’s possible, frankly, that the Vikings have a tentative deal with Flores, but that a decision has been made to not put pen to paper until he has exhausted all head-coaching possibilities.”
Brian Flores Focused on HC Opportunities, Insider Says
With Flores looking at all his options, NFL insider Tom Pelissero made a Jan. 8 appearance on KFAN1003 and shared the latest on what he is hearing on the defensive coordinator and whether a return to the Vikings is possible.
“In terms of Flo’s contract, I don’t get the sense that that’s on the front burner [with the Vikings], because he’s focused right now on what head coaching opportunities potentially could be out there,” Pelissero said.
“Once you get past that, let’s see exactly how some of those other dominoes fall. Is it in play for Flo to potentially come back? Yes. But there’s a lot of other interest, I would tell you that, in terms of defensive coordinator, if there’s not a head coaching opportunity out there.”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Wants Brian Flores Back
On Dec. 28, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with reporters and shared his thoughts on Flores’ future, making it clear what he wants to happen.
“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.”
The Minnesota defense was at the heart of the team, ending the season on a five-game winning streak. As a result, it makes sense that the Vikings want him back in the same role. Nonetheless, this saga might take a while to conclude.
Insider Shares Massive Vikings Update on Brian Flores’ Future