Flores praised Minnesota but acknowledged business factors as speculation grows about his future beyond the 2025 season.
There is little for the Minnesota Vikings to play for this Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. But that doesn't mean Brian Flores can evade questions about his future in Minnesota.
Flores' contract with the Vikings is set to expire after the season. Although there was always a possibility he could leave for a head coaching job, there has been recent speculation that he could leave for another defensive coordinator position.
On Tuesday, Flores addressed the media for the first time since the rumors began.
"I've said this many times, I've loved my time here in Minnesota," Flores said in his opening statement. "My family loves it. The state of Minnesota has been tremendous to me. And, you know, [Kevin O'Connell] mentioned there's been great dialogue, and there has. And now we'll just kind of let the club and my representation handle the rest."
Flores tried to deflect questions, saying that he wants to keep his focus on the Packers. He said that helps keep players' attentions on the game, too.
He was then directly asked, "Do you want to come back?"
"I love Minnesota. I love this team. I love working, you know, for and with KO. You know, he's been fantastic to me. I think the Wilfs are, you know, some of the best owners in the league. I love these players, the coaching staff, you know.
Like I said, you know, this place has shown me a lot of love, and I show it right back."
But then Flores opened up the door for a possible exit, citing factors outside of football as playing a role in a potential deal being made.
"If everything lines up and it fits from a football standpoint, it fits," Flores continued. "And I think there's always a, you know, let's call it a business part of this, and the football all lines up.
And, you know, we'll just see where it all goes."
It sounded as if Flores is comfortable returning to Minnesota in 2026, but he also doesn't want to rule out his other options, either. There will be plenty of suitors for him not only as a head coach, but also as a defensive coordinator, if he feels a change of scenery is necessary.
O'Connell expressed his desire to retain Flores on Monday.
"I know he enjoys being here. I know he and I, just from our recent dialogue, that he feels very similar about me that I do with him," O'Connell said. "Hopefully I can come to this podium and say, 'He's going to be here for as long as we can keep him here before another team makes him their head coach.'"
Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. It would be difficult for Flores to pass up a head coaching opportunity if the right one presents itself. He does have to be careful, though, as this may be his final opportunity to get a head coach job after being fired from Miami after the 2022 season.
A lateral move to take another coordinator job would be a massive blow to the Vikings, though. That feels unlikely, but Flores didn't completely rule it out.
Hopefully, that doesn't happen. Flores has been phenomenal since arriving in Minnesota back in 2023. The Vikings have ranked in the top 10 in points allowed in each of the past two years, carrying the team to a four-game win streak this season.
That should mean that Minnesota does all they can to retain him for 2026. Will they do so? Or will feelings that go beyond the X's and O's persuade decision-makers to let Flores explore other opportunities?