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Minnesota Vikings Trying to Keep Expiring Defensive Guru
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- Minnesota Vikings Trying to Keep Expiring Defensive Guru
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Despite their flight issues on Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings made it safely to New Jersey late last night and are playing the (2-12) New York Giants Sunday afternoon.
Not only would a win Sunday be Minnesota's third-straight, but it would also improve their 2025 regular season record to a semi-respectable 7-8, with two games remaining .
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Unfortunately, the playoffs are mathematically out of reach for Kevin O'Connell & Co, but that doesn't mean the rest of these games aren't important.
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Minnesota Vikings already trying to extend Brian Flores
But while most of us are busy worrying about the Vikings' future at quarterback, over the next few weeks, decision-makers inside TCO Performance Center are currently distracted with an extremely pressing matter on the other side of the football.
According to league insider Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) , the contract of defensive coordinator Brian Flores is due to expire at the end of this season. If the MN Vikings have it their way, he won't make it to free agency.
Minnesota has many decisions to make this offseason with an expensive, veteran roster.
Another issue to address: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores' contract is up after the season. The Vikings hope to work out a deal to retain him.
It's become pretty well-known that the former head coach wants to lead his own NFL squad again someday. On top of that, there's little doubt B-Flo would would get more interview opportunities to do just that this summer, especially if he hits the coaching carousel as an unrestricted free agent.
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Would Brian Flores really turn down head coaching interviews to return for another season as Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator. You wouldn't think so. Then again, given his ongoing lawsuit pending against the league and how he was fired from Miami , during his previous head coaching job, Flores' situation is far from normal .
Why the Vikings could pay big to keep Flores as DC
One reason we are less focused on defense is because, since Brian Flores took over as defensive coordinator, we don't really have to worry about that side of the ball.
That's why the only chance the Wilfs have of securing his services, prior to him hitting the open market, is to pay him big. And it could be worth it.
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Some years have been better than others, just like some games, the Vikings' defense is more shutdown than others.But no matter what personnel Flores has at his disposal, he is going to get the most out of them.
| Season |
PA/G (Rk) |
YA/G |
YA/P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21.9 (13th) |
307.9 (9th) |
5.0 (9th) |
|
| 19.5 (5th) |
335.4 (16th) |
5.3 (9th) |
|
| 21.3 (14th) |
333.2 (16th) |
5.2 (14th) |
|
| 2022 * |
25.1 (30th)* |
388.7 (31st)* |
5.9 (29th)* |
2022: Pre-Flores (Ed Donatell)*
At worst (2023), we've seen less-talented Minnesota defenses play up to average, under Flores. And when he's had some healthy Joes to work with (2024), they've been borderline elite. This year has been somewhere in the middle.
For context, I included the last non-Flores Vikings defense we watched back in 2022, under Ed Donatell as DC.
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