Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For weeks, the question around the Minnesota Vikings was whether Brian Flores would return as defensive coordinator. He spent the past several weeks interviewing for two head coaching jobs, and a defensive coordinator opening elsewhere in the NFL, fueling plenty of speculation about what was happening behind the scenes.
All along, the Vikings remained steadfast in their belief that they could bring Flores back. Ultimately, it looks as though Flores may have been waiting out changes to the front office, which came nine days after he signed an extension with the team.
The Vikings wanted to show the commitment they have to Flo, and they let the money talk.
Brian Flores breaks the bank for Minnesota Vikings
Defense has become a calling card for the Minnesota Vikings since hiring Brian Flores. Mike Pettine may not like him, but the track record speaks for itself. The Vikings allowed Pettine to walk, while they backed up the Brinks truck for their coordinator.
As it would in many organizations, the level of Adofo-Mensah’s inexperience drew concern. Multiple sources said that defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unusual decision to let his contract lapse, before signing a new deal that will pay him more than $6 million per season, was based in part on his unease with the direction of the front office. When asked last month if he wanted to remain with the Vikings, Flores noted that he loved working for the Wilfs and with O’Connell, and loved living in Minnesota, but did not mention Adofo-Mensah.
Kevin Seifert (ESPN) notes not only that the Minnesota Vikings are paying $6 million a year for Flores, but that the coordinator made known his uncertainties about Kwesi. The deal makes Flores the highest paid coordinator in the league, overtaking Vic Fangio’s $4.5 million deal.
Among three stellar seasons as the Vikings defensive coordinator, last year may have been the best. While they didn’t lead the league in takeaways like 2024, Flores unit was third in yards allowed, and seventh in points allowed.
Although Minnesota has serious salary cap issues to work through this offseason, there’s effectively no spending limit when it comes to the coaching staff. The Wilf’s wrote a check that Flores couldn’t say no to, even if Adofo-Mensah was still was still around.
Kwesi concerned Flores for MN Vikings
It was an intentional decision by Flores to let his contract lapse. While he lives and breathes football, the same might not be said for the general manager, and “learning on the job” wasn’t exactly ideal, either, according to Ben Goessling.
Adofo-Mensah’s background led some around the NFL to view him with skepticism, and he acknowledged several times during his tenure that he was learning on the job, in everything from player evaluation to leading his front-office staff. Brzezinski stepped in to assist in some trade negotiations, while coach Kevin O’Connell served as an emissary during tense discussions such as Danielle Hunter’s 2023 hold-in. Sources spoke of frustration from the team’s scouting staff and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who let his contract expire before signing a new deal Jan. 21.
Ultimately, there are only 32 defensive coordinator jobs in the NFL. Flores has made no secret about his desire to return to a lead role, and he briefly flirted with a lateral move. Now, we have a better sense of why.
It’s a good thing that football people within the Minnesota Vikings organization now feel there’s a clearer direction. Whoever ultimately backfills Adofo-Mensah’s empty general manager role will likely be cut from that same cloth, and share similarities with KOC and B-Flo.
For now, they no longer have to worry about someone being in over their head while carrying that much leadership responsibility.
Mentioned in this article: Brian Flores Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
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