Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores hasn't yet been requested to interview for any of the eight head coach vacancies in the NFL, but the latest opening looms large. That would be his former employer, the New England Patriots, who parted ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick on Thursday.
Flores spent 15 years with the Patriots organization, joining them as a scouting assistant in 2004 when he was 23 years old. The last 11 of those years were spent on Belichick's coaching staff, with Flores calling plays in a dominant 13-3 Super Bowl LIII win over the Rams in his final game with the franchise.
Could he be under consideration to replace his former boss? ESPN's Dan Graziano named Flores, along with Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel, as the "most likely Belichick successors in New England." Mayo, who has been with the Patriots since 2019, is viewed by many as the most likely option. Vrabel played for the Pats for eight years and was recently fired by the Titans after going 54-45 in six years as their head coach.
Flores is coming off a highly successful first season with the Vikings, taking them from 24th to 11th in defensive DVOA without departed veterans Patrick Peterson, Eric Kendricks, Za'Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson. His unique approach — the Vikings both blitzed more than any other team and dropped eight into coverage more than any other team — helped flummox opposing offenses and led to career seasons for Danielle Hunter, Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum, and numerous others.
"Could not be more happier with the decision that I made last year to bring him in," Kevin O'Connell said of Flores on Wednesday. "He's been everything and then some as far as what he's brought to the mentality to that defensive room. ... I was very happy with the way that group tries to evolve, tried to stay ahead of our opponents and continuously provide challenges for our opponents to play against."
It wouldn't be shocking if that success led to Flores landing another head coaching gig this offseason. In addition to the Patriots and Titans, the Seahawks, Commanders, Chargers, Falcons, Raiders, and Panthers all need new head coaches.
However, there are some complicating factors with Flores' candidacy. He has an active lawsuit against the NFL alleging discrimination in hiring practices, resulting from the way his three-year tenure as the Dolphins' head coach ended and certain things that happened as he was pursuing head jobs during the 2022 offseason (he ended up spending one year as an assistant under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh). Teams with young quarterbacks — or those looking to add one in the draft — may also have questions about how he handled Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
The way O'Connell spoke on Wednesday indicated that he thinks Flores will remain the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2024.
"Ultimately, I think the most exciting thing is where Flo is going to take that defense from here as we can improve our depth and continue to add pieces to that to that side of the football," O'Connell said. "I have so much confidence in what he's going to be able to do on that side of the ball."
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