Flores Watch

[pattersaur]

I think that's worth a try.  I just think he wants to test the market and get the maximum amount of money.

Agreed. I think the Vikings should do everything they can with money and titles to keep him, but if that doesn't do it then he's probably gone. And if he's gone then what's he really gonna care about our comp pick situation.

[medaille]

Agreed. I think the Vikings should do everything they can with money and titles to keep him, but if that doesn't do it then he's probably gone. And if he's gone then what's he really gonna care about our comp pick situation.

I think he’s most likely staying.  It’s either Ravens or here.  If there’s no head coaching job available, I think he’ll go to every team that wants him for a DC position and see if they’ll beat the Vikings offer, and then ask the Vikings to do better and they will.  Head coach money isn’t that high, but things get tricky if some other team offered him more than we pay KOC, just because of egos.

There’s just no downside for him to actually see what other teams are offering.  The biggest risk he would take is if he took too long and we offered Jones the DC spot, because we needed to lock in one of the two, but I imagine we would be very much in conversations with him.

I just don’t buy too much into the drama side of things.  I don’t think he’s out because relationships went sour.  He’s just too valuable that everyone will figure things out.

[Greylock]

I think he’s most likely staying.  It’s either Ravens or here.  If there’s no head coaching job available, I think he’ll go to every team that wants him for a DC position and see if they’ll beat the Vikings offer, and then ask the Vikings to do better and they will.  Head coach money isn’t that high, but things get tricky if some other team offered him more than we pay KOC, just because of egos.

There’s just no downside for him to actually see what other teams are offering.  The biggest risk he would take is if he took too long and we offered Jones the DC spot, because we needed to lock in one of the two, but I imagine we would be very much in conversations with him.

I just don’t buy too much into the drama side of things.  I don’t think he’s out because relationships went sour.  He’s just too valuable that everyone will figure things out.

Average head coach money is $6.6 million and mid-tier first timers like Ben Johnson earn $10-$13 million.  If a team interviews Flores and wants to hire him, because he has been a head coach before, for like $8 to $10 million BUT he has to drop his lawsuit against the league he will be gone.  Turning down what be his last chance at a head coach for that kind of money or stay a DC and continue with his lawsuit, may be an easy choice.

[JimmyinSD]

Average head coach money is $6.6 million and mid-tier first timers like Ben Johnson earn $10-$13 million.  If a team interviews Flores and wants to hire him, because he has been a head coach before, for like $8 to $10 million BUT he has to drop his lawsuit against the league he will be gone.  Turning down what be his last chance at a head coach for that kind of money or stay a DC and continue with his lawsuit, may be an easy choice.

might depend on his legal fees and how they are structured no?  if his legal team is working on contingency,  and he drops the case,  he is then likely personally responsible for their work to date and that alone might prevent him from taking a new coaching deal if his lawsuit was going to pay the lawyers major bank.  I dont really know how large a sum they were after.

[greediron]

Even with a new DC contract,   he can still interview for HC jobs,  it woukd just prevent him from making lateral moves and keep the Vikes from getting screwed out of draft picks.  I think KAM needs to make this a priority,  make him Asst HC and the highest paid DC and see if that doesnt get him to sign tomorrow.

Yes.  I agree with those that doubt he is getting an offer to be a HC.  Saw his name on Baltimore's list as the only team to be considering him.

But he is a star as a DC.  Pay the man and keep our D at the elite level.  Listening to Harrison Smith talk about Flores this year was eye opening.  Said he has never seen some of the concepts that Flores implements.

[JimmyinSD]

Yes.  I agree with those that doubt he is getting an offer to be a HC.  Saw his name on Baltimore's list as the only team to be considering him.

But he is a star as a DC.  Pay the man and keep our D at the elite level.  Listening to Harrison Smith talk about Flores this year was eye opening.  Said he has never seen some of the concepts that Flores implements.

that really is saying something as Harry is a student of the game and studies his craft, and has played under several DCs in his tenure.

[purplefaithful]

Kevin O’Connell says Vikings have been ‘really aggressive’ in push to retain DC Brian Flores

Flores interviewed Jan. 13 for a head coaching role and could talk to other teams about defensive coordinator openings if a deal isn’t reached with the Vikings soon.

The Vikings are still in negotiations with defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the clock ticks down on their time to finalize a contract before other teams can make their pitches.

Typically, there is an exclusive 10-day negotiation window after the end of the season for a team to renew contracts with coordinators and assistant coaches. The Vikings’ window with Flores — if his current contract, which expires this offseason, indeed includes such language — would presumably close later this week. Although the sides could still reach an agreement after the window closes, he would be allowed to interview for lateral jobs with other organizations.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said during his end-of-season news conference Tuesday, Jan. 13, that the organization has “been really aggressive” in trying to retain Flores, who has been with them since 2023. O’Connell also acknowledged a desire to be supportive, particularly as Flores pursues a potential return to a head coaching job.
Flores is allowed to interview for head coaching positions within the 10-day window.

The Baltimore Ravens, who fired John Harbaugh after a Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that eliminated them from playoff contention, announced they had interviewed Flores on Jan. 13.

“I think he’s more than deserving, everything he’s brought to our organization over these last three years,” O’Connell said. “Not surprised people are wanting to talk to him about that role. Excited for him to do so, all while knowing our No. 1 priority — really before the season even ended — our No. 1 priority has been to get that thing done with him.”

O’Connell said he doesn’t read into the fact that a deal has not been done yet despite the high priority, making an analogy to free agency and how some players test the market to determine their worth.

O’Connell ended that answer, though, by saying he has “a lot of confidence” the Vikings will reach a deal with Flores as their defensive coordinator.

While Flores expressed gratitude for his time in Minnesota during his final in-season news conference, he did not make a definitive statement on whether he would like to return for the 2026 season and beyond.

Should negotiations between the Vikings and Flores fail to finalize, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Jan. 13 that he wouldn’t expect more than the typical level of scheme and personnel churn in finding a replacement, despite some of Flores’ quirkier play-calling and schematic tendencies.

“He is unique, and he does have a unique play style, but if you really look down deep, what does Flo value?” Adofo-Mensah said. “Versatility, physicality, the things that matter in good defensive football ... that everybody values. Flo kind of takes those pieces and puts it together in an artwork that’s different than most, but the core colors that are a part of that painting, a lot of people share those same things.”

Strib

[StickierBuns]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm convinced he's staying.

[Caactorvike]

If he an offered the Steelers job he will take it. And I think they make an offer.

[purplefaithful]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm convinced he's staying.

Seems like a lot of the press is convinced he's outta here, even if it's a lateral DC. I have no idea where they are getting that??? 

If he an offered the Steelers job he will take it. And I think they make an offer.

I agree, I would take that job too...Lot worse orgs out there looking for head coaches. 

Steelers are living on their past lately, but it's a good football town and I dont mind the Rooney's myself.