It’s still early, but no assistant coach is doing a better job than Brian Flores.
The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises. Head coach Kevin O’Connell deserves credit. Sam Darnold deserves credit.
But perhaps the guy most responsible is Flores.
The defensive coordinator has presided over a vastly improved unit. Entering this week, the Vikings led the league in sacks (16) and have surrendered the second-fewest points (10.0 per game).
These numbers are more impressive because Flores’ defense is doing this against top offenses. Last weekend, Minnesota limited C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans in a 34-7 rout. The week before, it stifled the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. The Vikings have collected at least five sacks in every game after totaling 43 sacks all of last season. They’re just the third team since 1990 to get at least five sacks in each of their first three games.
This pass-rushing surge has happened despite losing defensive end Danielle Hunter (16.5 sacks in 2023) in free agency to the Houston Texans over the offseason. Jonathan Greenard, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, has helped pick up the slack with three sacks against Houston.
For a guy trying to rebuild his reputation, this is important. Flores is in the running to be named Associated Press NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. He would rather get another shot at being a head coach. But will he? Flores must overcome two significant hurdles.
No. 1, Flores is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NFL over racially discriminatory hiring practices.
No. 2, when Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, he had a fractured relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Last month, Tagovailoa criticized Flores publicly.
One of those obstacles alone is difficult to overcome. We all thought Flores had committed career suicide when he sued the league. He has had two jobs since, serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebackers coach in 2022 before joining the Vikings in 2023. But bringing in someone as an assistant is different than hiring someone to be the face of your franchise. Tagovailoa’s comments were particularly stinging considering how Tua has played under Mike McDaniel’s leadership.
Recently, Jonathan Jones, an NFL Insider for CBS, asked the question many of us would like to know. Will another NFL team take a chance on Flores? After talking with several league sources, the answer appears to be a definite maybe.
According to Jones, one source told him: “If he interviews for head-coaching jobs in the future, he will need to have his QB coaching and development plan ironed out in detail.” Another source said: “Owners that want to win like hot candidates with advocates.”
Vikings show five-man front. AVG drops, o-line ends up with five blocking three and Jonathan Greenard blows past a tight end. pic.twitter.com/A0GrH31ieT
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) September 23, 2024
Flores has made himself a viable candidate by finding ways to deliver pressure. NFL analytics website The 33rd Team praised Flores’ ability to disguise coverages to confuse quarterbacks. Sunday could be the biggest test for Flores’ schemes. The Vikings will visit the Green Bay Packers who could have Jordan Love back from injury.
In Miami, Flores went 24-25 in three seasons before being fired after the 2021 season. But if Minnesota continues to surprise, he will get some interviews this winter. Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team said Flores “has been outstanding” this season.
“I think you’ll get another opportunity, especially if the trends continue around the NFL, where defenses are fighting back, winning a little bit more these last couple of years,” Palazzolo said. “If owners and general managers are saying, ‘Yeah, we need one of those defensive coaches who are rejuvenating this league,’ Flores will be a top candidate. I think there’s a chance he can get back to being a head coach.”