When the Minnesota Vikings hired defensive coordinator Brian Flores ahead of the 2023 season, he wasn't expected to last long in the position. Not because he isn't a great coach, but because he is and deserving of another chance to be a head coach.
There were serious question marks about Flores being a smart hire due to not being able to keep him long-term. The one thing that has seemingly held him back from getting that head coaching job is the lawsuit he filed against the National Football League for its hiring practices.
Having Flores is a massive advantage and one the Vikings should do anything to keep. SKOR North's Judd Zulgad spoke on that during an episode of Purple Daily and how they can keep him.
"Let me throw in another not free agent acquisition, but perhaps an acquisition that you retain at a high salary. It's not subject to the cap. This is the one way you game the system, and that is keeping Brian Flores for a third year. Because I'm gonna go, I'm gonna harp on this, because too often we say, well, Flora is an assistant coach, but, you know, the secondary coach can take over. He knows four as a system, right? But Brian Flores has proven he's really damn good at what he does, yeah. And if I'm a free agent and I am examining teams, their abilities to win, you know, facilities which the Vikings have taught. But then I also see Brian Flores is going into his third year as the defensive coordinator of that team. I think it becomes all the more intriguing. So I love this. I do think the Vikings are going to definitely go big game hunting in March of (20)25, but I also think it's very interesting discussion of, if you Brian Flores going into your third into his third year here, he's still, still here. I think that is a real, real enhancing enticement for a player to look even closer at you. And you know, let's say guy like Kenny Clark has three really competitive offers right from three good teams. Well, if one of those has Brian Flores, coordinating my defense, I think it becomes very intriguing for you."
This is an intriguing element. The Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf have been more than willing to fork over big money for anything the team has needed. From TCO Performance Center to U.S. Bank Stadium, money has never been an issue.
It also matters here for what Zulgad brings up with coaching salaries. There is no salary cap for the coaching staff. Flores has spoken at length about wanting to come to Minnesota and coach here. Once he does find a head coaching job, it's likely he will take one.
However, money talks and it's a lot less stress and pressure to be a coordinator. That could be appealing for Flores and a major advantage for the Vikings having a defensive coordinator for three-straight seasons.
