Brian Flores is staying put in Minnesota.
The Vikings have signed Flores to a new contract as their defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday. The team announced the extension shortly thereafter.
Pelissero and Rapoport added that the parties agreed to an extension last week, but it was finalized Wednesday. One caveat is that Flores is still a candidate for the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers head coaching vacancies. If Flores doesn’t land one of those HC jobs, though, he’s back to blitzing opposing offenses as the Vikings DC.
Considered one of the league’s top defensive minds, Flores’ contract was up and he drew ample interest from other teams, Pelissero noted. He had an interview with the Washington Commanders for their defensive coordinator opening, but as of now, the only way to get Flores out of the Twin Cities will be as a team’s new head coach.
During a trying 2025 campaign for head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense, Flores’ defense was still stellar. Flores’ squad was seventh in the league in points allowed and third in yards, applying his trademark aggressive approach to aplomb. Hence, when the season ended, O’Connell tabbed re-signing Flores as a top priority.
Flores, 44, gained acclaim during a long tenure with the New England Patriots in which he won four Super Bowl rings as an assistant in various roles from 2004-2018.
In 2019, Flores embarked on a three-year run as the Miami Dolphins head coach. He was fired after the 2021 season.
Flores filed a lawsuit in February or 2022 against the Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants for discriminatory hiring and firing practices. His career moved on to Pittsburgh, where he became the Steelers’ linebacker coach and senior defensive assistant for a season prior to beginning his days in Minnesota.
Since 2023 — O’Connell’s second season helming the Vikings — Flores has brought a tenacious approach to the Vikings defense that’s brought the best out of defenders such as Harrison Smith, Andrew Van Ginkel, Josh Metellus and others. Unless the Steelers or Ravens come offering a head coaching spot, Flores and the Vikings are slated for many more havoc-wreaking autumns ahead.
