Elite defensive minds clash. Unpacking the complex coaching relationships and controversies that keep Brian Flores from a head coach position.
At the risk of speaking too soon, the Minnesota Vikings look to have retained elite defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The news of his return and that he may not be a head coach next season reminds us of the polarizing nature of one of the league's best X's and O's coaches and motivators.
Not everyone who has worked with Flores likes him. Count former Vikings coach Mike Pettine and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa among those who are not Flores' biggest fans. Even so, love him or hate him, for what he brings in football knowledge, you've gotta respect him.
That written, some view Flores' past peer and player-to-coach relationships with caution. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk shares that it could be the reason he has not been hired as a head coach this offseason.
"Beyond his lawsuit against the NFL and four teams (Dolphins, Giants, Broncos, and Texans), which legally should not be a factor but let’s not be naive, there are questions about Flores’s time with the Dolphins and his time with the Vikings. Recently, former Minnesota assistant Mike Pettine said just enough to confirm the existence of a red flag.
And so it appears Flores will be back with the Vikings, for a fourth season. There’s no doubt that coach Kevin O’Connell thinks highly of Flores. Enough to overcome any friction that may have occurred within the coaching staff.
The scheme works. In 2025, it worked almost well enough to overcome a bottom-five offense to get to the postseason. If the Minnesota offense can improve just a little bit in 2026, the Vikings will continue their trend of making it to the playoffs, roughly every other year."
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesIn fairness to Flores, it's no secret that coaching turnover is the name of the game in Miami. If a head coach is not gone in four years, he is probably gone in three. Offensive guru and now former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is the latest to realize that fact.
Despite that history, Flores is still on the outside looking in at head coaching vacancies and may be until the next offseason.
The news of his return is still welcomed by the Vikings who stand to have another great defense in the 2026 season. Undoubtedly the unit is fired up to have a great scheme in the upcoming year. Nevertheless, the question of whether or not he will be a head coach or not is a matter of when and where rather than if.
Flores will look to have a more emphatically successful season in 2026.