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Confirmed: Brian Flores’ New Deal in MN is Gigantic
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- Confirmed: Brian Flores’ New Deal in MN is Gigantic
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For weeks we wondered if Brian Flores would return as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator. There was speculation as to what was going on behind the scenes . After Flores had his contract lapse, he emerged as a head coach candidate once again .
All along the MN Vikings remained steadfast in their belief that they could bring him back. Ultimately it looks as though Flores may have been waiting out changes to the front office. That came in the biggest way when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was sent packing .
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Money was never going to stop Minnesota from enticing Flores either, and the commitment they made is massive.
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Defense has become a calling card for the Minnesota Vikings since hiring Brian Flores. Mike Pettine may not like him , but the track record speaks for itself. The Vikings allowed Pettine to walk while they backed up a Brinks truck for their coordinator.
As it would in many organizations, the level of Adofo-Mensah's inexperience drew concern. Multiple sources said that defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unusual decision to let his contract lapse, before signing a new deal that will pay him more than $6 million per season, was based in part on his unease with the direction of the front office. When asked last month if he wanted to remain with the Vikings, Flores noted that he loved working for the Wilfs and with O'Connell, and loved living in Minnesota, but did not mention Adofo-Mensah.
Kevin Seifert (ESPN) notes not only that the Minnesota Vikings are paying $6 million a year for Flores, but that the coordinator made known his uncertainties about Kwesi. That deal makes Flores the highest paid coordinator in the league, overtaking Vic Fangio's $4.5 million deal .
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Now with three seasons as the Vikings defensive coordinator under his belt, last year may have been the best. While they didn't lead the league in takeaways like 2024, Flores unit was third in yards allowed, and seventh in points allowed.
Although Minnesota has serious salary cap issues to work through this offseason, there's no spending limit when it comes to the coaching staff. The Wilf's wrote a check that Flores couldn't say no to, even if Kwesi was still around.
Kwesi concerned Flores for MN Vikings
It was intentional on the part of Brian Flores to let his contract lapse. While Flores lives and breathes football, the same track record was not there for the general manager. Learning on the job wasn't exactly ideal either says Ben Goessling (Star Tribune).
Adofo-Mensah's background led some around the NFL to view him with skepticism, and he acknowledged several times during his tenure that he was learning on the job, in everything from player evaluation to leading his front-office staff. Brzezinski stepped in to assist in some trade negotiations, while coach Kevin O'Connell served as an emissary during tense discussions such as Danielle Hunter's 2023 hold-in. Sources spoke of frustration from the team's scouting staff and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who let his contract expire before signing a new deal Jan. 21.
Ultimately there are only 32 defensive coordinator jobs in the NFL. Brian Flores has made no secret about his desires to return to a lead role . He did dabble with switching allegiances for a lateral move , and now we have a better insight as to why.
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It's a good thing that football people within the organization now feel like there is a more clear direction. Whatever person ultimately backfills Kwesi's vacated general manager role will probably be cut from that same cloth.
For now, Flores doesn't have to worry about someone in over their head carrying such a hefty amount of leadership duties.
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