A surprise name has entered the chat to potentially become the next defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ contract has expired, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. With him suddenly becoming available, NFL analyst Will Parkinson says the mission should be clear for the Jets.
“If there’s a world in which B Flo is available as a DC… you do whatever it takes money wise (mega overpay who cares) to bring him to 1JD (no clue how real that small chance even would be),” Parkinson said.
“Not sure there’s even a slight chance of that happening but just had to be said if there was… you’d obviously do it,” Parkinson added on social media.
A Rare Opportunity for the Jets
Typically, NFL coaches can’t make lateral jumps from one team to the next. Flores has been the Vikings’ defensive coordinator for the last three seasons. If another team requested to interview him for their DC gig, typically the Vikings would have been allowed to block it.
Teams can’t block coaches from taking potential promotions. For example, if Flores were requested for an NFL head coaching interview, Minnesota couldn’t block it.
However, none of that is at play this offseason because technically, Flores is a free agent.
Flores’ representation and the Vikings have continued to explore potential extension talks. There is also some buzz that Flores could land an NFL head coaching job this offseason.
Flores Has Unbelievable Credentials as a Successful DC
Flores, 44, has won four Super Bowl rings from his time with the New England Patriots.
Minnesota is the third-best defense in the NFL in yards allowed per game (282.6) this season. They have the second-best pass defense in the NFL, only allowing 2,694 passing yards this season. The Vikings have the seventh-best scoring defense in the league, allowing only 19.6 points per game.
Minnesota has 13 fumble recoveries this year, which is the most in the NFL. The Jets, on the other hand, only have four fumble recoveries, which is tied for 31st in the NFL.
Flores has been at the controls of an aggressive defense that always gives opposing offenses problems when they face off against him.
The chances of actually luring him away from Minnesota seem remote. Especially considering how much head coaching interest he is garnering and the other available DC gigs around the league. However, if there is even a hint of a chance, the Jets should go all in to bring him to the squad.
Flores was born and raised in New York, so maybe the Jets can play the homecoming card to try and attract him. The good news for the Jets is that there isn’t a salary cap for coaches. So, in theory, if Woody Johnson was motivated enough, he could hand a blank check to try and secure Flores as the new DC of the NYJ.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said at his end-of-season press conference that the most important thing is getting the best guy for the job. Flores certainly checks off all the boxes for the position.
Jets Pushed to Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ to Bring in 4-Time Super Bowl Champ