We’ve got our first candidate for the Vikings defensive coordinator job. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), the Vikings have requested permission to interview Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
[RELATED: Vikings Fire DC Ed Donatell]
Flores has once again been a popular name this offseason. The 41-year-old interviewed for the Cardinals head coaching job (and was considered by some to be the favorite), and he’s also been connected to defensive coordinator openings with the Browns and Falcons. These interviews followed a 2022 campaign where Flores served as the Steelers linebackers coach.
Flores does have a minor connection to Minnesota, having overlapped with head coach Kevin O’Connell for a year in New England. The Vikings announced earlier this week that they would “be going in a different direction at defensive coordinator in 2023,” ending the tenure of defensive play-caller Ed Donatell. Several potential candidates have been mentioned for the opening, including Vikings assistant head coach Mike Pettine.
As our own Sam Robinson recently noted, Flores has never officially held the title of defensive coordinator; he was a position coach in New England while serving as the team’s unofficial DC following Matt Patricia’s exit to Detroit. Flores ended up winning four rings before getting a head coaching gig with the Dolphins in 2019. His tenure in Miami was shaky, culminating in a discrimination lawsuit following his surprise 2022 firing. Still, Flores was connected to a handful of head coaching openings last offseason, and following one year in Pittsburgh, he’s looking at a top coaching role for the 2023 campaign.
Lol who would hire this clown? He belongs in Minnesota
great coach*, he would fit it with KOC a guy he has a working relationship with and he would bring balance as a strong defensive coach to min’s staff
Ya then your organization gets sued when he underperforms
Steelers fans say he didn’t do squat w/ the LB’s this year.
If this guy had two brain cells to rub together we all know he’d take an ESPN/abc/Disney job, captaining the ‘nfl is racist ship’ with editorials and stories before and after games. Jamele hill and Brian flores open up about the pain they’ve endured and their 8 figure bank accounts how brave
Don’t know what Steelers fans you talked to
Plenty. But maybe this article will help out. link to stillcurtain.com
Jim Leonhard would be the perfect hire for the Vikings
Next guy to fail because players aren’t good enough.
Tough to win up there. 4th and 8 with the season on the line Kirk throws a three yard check down.
Stan “The Troll” is back online. Everyone ooh and ahh over his insightful posts.
Very selfish take as a Steelers fan, but I’d love for Flores to stay another year and then get a job. That would net the Steelers 2 extra 3rd round picks—those are proving quite useful for SF.
Thought as the season went on the defense got better. Every post is personal attack and does little to discuss his coaching ability. Some are borderline racist on here
Steelers linebackers were not that good. Bush has never been the same since injury. Miles Jack did not do much. Splaine played above his talent. He will never be a great cover guy. So maybe it was talent rather than coaching.
Question is if Matt Canada is so wonderful why did nobody ask permission to interview him?
Great coach. Unsure he fits with their new work environment. It’s less Bill Belichick and more Sean McVay.