The Minnesota Vikings have a unique edge over the rest of the NFL — and it’s not head coach Kevin O’Connell or superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Their real advantage lies in defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Widely regarded as one of the most respected minds in football, Flores has been absent from the head coaching carousel the past two offseasons — a development that has worked out perfectly for Minnesota.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak recently called Flores the biggest non-quarterback asset any team can have.
“For another year, the greatest non-quarterback competitive advantage in the NFL is that of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores,” Solak wrote on May 27. “He is unquestionably one of the 32 (if not 20) best coaches in football and a clear and obvious head coaching candidate, if not for the fact that he is suing the league.”
Now entering his 22nd season in the NFL and his third year with the Vikings, Flores began his career with the New England Patriots, where he spent 15 years before becoming head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019.
Vikings Benefit from Flores’ Ongoing Lawsuit Against the NFL
Flores filed a lawsuit in 2022 accusing the NFL, along with the Dolphins, Broncos, and Giants, of racial discrimination related to both his firing and the hiring practices of those teams. Since then, Flores has remained a defensive coordinator — first with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now with Minnesota — while many believe he should already be leading a team as head coach.
This offseason, Flores was mentioned as a possible candidate for various head coaching vacancies, including with the Chicago Bears, one of the Vikings’ division rivals. But no move was made — again, to Minnesota’s advantage.
A Defensive Mastermind
In 2024, Flores helped transform the Vikings into one of the league’s top defensive units. They ranked:
- 5th in scoring defense
- 1st in interceptions
- 4th in total sacks
They also led the NFL with a 38.9% blitz rate, showing just how aggressive and effective Flores’ schemes are.
As long as the lawsuit keeps other teams from hiring him, the Vikings are reaping the rewards of having one of the sharpest defensive minds in football on their sideline.
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