I think that we should hopefully here about a hefty extension for Brian Flores soon. The Vikings have been adding defensive players via free agency and the draft that Coach Flores feels will be good in his scheme. If Flores leaves for a head coach position, do the Vikings have contingency plans for a coordinator that runs a similar defensive scheme as Flores. Maybe not exactly similar obviously but one where the players acquired will be good fits. I would hate to see them hire someone who feels they should move certain players due to scheme fit. <\/p>\n
I will say it may be overblown a bit since the Vikings are not handing out 4 to 5 year deals. In fact, the only players under contract in 2027 that are not rookies and that are making over 10M are Jefferson, Hockenson*, Darrisaw, Fries, Greenard*, Allen*, Hargrave*, and Murphy*. The asterisk indicates it is the last year of their deal. JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner will be in their 4th year and could get their 5th year option picked up.<\/p>\n
So, even if Flores leaves, the team could hire the best defensive coordinator they can find and start acquiring players that fit the new scheme without incurring too much dead money or having to hang onto players that may be bad fits.<\/p>\n
What would be a good deal for Flores?<\/p>\n
How Much Do NFL Defensive Coordinators Make?<\/a><\/p>\n Terms of Fangio\u2019s Eagles contract were never reported, but when he signed his Dolphins contract in 2023, it was for three years at roughly $4.5 million per year, per Sports Illustrated. NFL Media reported at the time that it made Fangio the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL. Though Fangio\u2019s tenure with the Dolphins ended in a mutual parting of ways after the 2023 season, it seems likely that the Eagles paid him a similar or greater amount to return to his native Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n After the Chiefs\u2019 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Spagnuolo signed a new contract the following offseason to remain with the Chiefs that pays him around $5 million per year, according to ESPN.<\/p>\n Both of these contracts, as mentioned previously, are likely on the high end of NFL defensive coordinator salaries. NBC Sports reported in 2022 that the average coordinator salary was $1 million per year.<\/p>\n Experience pays best for NFL defensive coordinators.<\/p>\n I would offer Flores a 3 year deal for 18M at the minimum. He is well worth it and if you pay him good enough, he may want to stay. Of course, this assumes he gets a head coach offer.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings News and Links<\/p>\n Vikings Calculating Ripple Effects of Possible Brian Flores Departure?<\/a><\/p>\n As of this morning, there was a belief that the next non-player extension would go to B-Flo, who has single-handedly taken the MN Vikings defense from one of the worst in the NFL, just a couple of years ago, to one of the hardest in the league to figure out.<\/p>\n But of course, working out a new deal with Brian Flores is not that easy. He\u2019s a former NFL head coach, who would probably still be leading his own team, if not been for his rocky departure from Miami a handful of years ago, a head coaching marriage that ended in a lawsuit against the league (and multiple teams) that is still pending.<\/p>\n According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) on the latest episode of his \u201cAccess Vikings\u201d podcast, the longtime insider noted that, instead of signing an extension this offseason, it\u2019s plausible Flores rides out the final year of his current deal, then hits the coaching free agency market next offseason.<\/p>\n \u201cBrian Flores is also in a contract year. There is, I think, interest in an extension from the team. I will be curious to see if Flores decides to sign something or if he tries to test the market because he was in those head coaching conversations last year with a couple of teams. I wonder how that\u2019s going to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Goessling \u2013 Access Vikings Podcast<\/p>\n The longtime Minnesota Vikings insider suggests that the uncertainty surrounding Flores\u2019 future could be playing into extension talks with Metellus. Because if B-Flo were to leave\u2026 what exactly does Josh offer the next defensive coordinator?<\/p>\n If Flores were to find another job elsewhere, would the Vikings be forced to put their 27-year-old swiss-army knife defender \u2014 who\u2019s totalled 219 tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles in the past two seasons \u2014 back into the drawer to rust?<\/p>\n If so, then they wouldn\u2019t want to sign him to a lucrative long-term extension. According to Goessling, the unknown future of Flores could be playing into how far Minnesota has been willing to go thus far with Josh Metellus.<\/p>\n And if he does test the market, if it\u2019s a coordinator job somewhere else, or if it\u2019s a head coaching job somewhere else, is whoever replaces him, you know, that could be internal. It could be Toronto Jones, it could be Mike Cerrado, you know, whoever it would happen to be. Maybe that system is the same.<\/p>\n But if it\u2019s not Flores, if it\u2019s or if it\u2019s not exactly the same. Does Martellus have the same value if somebody else is calling the plays? It\u2019s just one of those things to kind of pinned to the clipboard, so to speak. As we\u2019re thinking about these things and it obviously they\u2019re gonna have to make a decision on him and tell us sooner than that, I would think. So if you\u2019re thinking about this, keep that in the back of your mind I guess.<\/p>\n Ben Goessling \u2013 Access Vikings Podcast<\/p>\n Brian Flores has gotten multiple interviews for head coaching jobs, since joining the MN Vikings\u2019 staff. And they aren\u2019t going to stop him from trying again, even if he signs an extension.<\/p>\n But it is possible that completely disconnecting himself from any NFL franchise, prior to the start of the 2026 coaching carousel could give him a better chance at landing a new head coaching gig. That might be what the Vikings DC is thinking.<\/p>\n 2 Vikings Coaches Predicted to Leave the Team<\/a><\/p>\n In a June 16 feature for ESPN, a panel discussed which NFL staffers will graduate to becoming head coaches in 2026, and a few of our guys are on the roster.<\/p>\n In the feature, they asked the question, \u201cWhich key assistant coach is most likely to be in the 2026 head coaching cycle?\u201d Bears reporter Courtney Cronin and Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert both picked Vikings staffers.<\/p>\n In the piece, Cronin picked Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. \u201cIf the Vikings\u2019 defense performs as well as it did in 2024 (tied for first in turnovers, second in EPA\/play, fifth in points allowed), expect Flores\u2019 name to once again circulate in the head coaching cycle,\u201d Cronin said.<\/p>\n Cronin continued, \u201cFlores interviewed for three jobs last year \u2014 Bears, Jets, Jaguars \u2014 and has been a head coach before with Dolphins. Whether teams have the desire to hire Flores with his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and the public fallout from his relationship with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (especially teams that have young QBs or are looking to draft one) remains to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Seifert named Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, explaining that \u201cas wild as it sounds, the 2024 season was McCown\u2019s first full season as an NFL assistant coach. He opted against interviewing for offensive coordinator positions, but still got an interview for the New York Jets\u2019 head coaching job.\u201d<\/p>\n Seifert added, \u201cMcCown has long been on the league\u2019s radar, having interviewed for the Houston Texans\u2018 top job in 2022, and if McCarthy performs well in 2025, McCown might be able to skip the coordinator level altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan Orlovsky continues to rave about Vikings\u2019 J.J. McCarthy<\/a><\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Dan Orlovsky has been a believer in J.J. McCarthy since day one. In part because of the situation he was walking into, Orlovsky approved of the Vikings drafting McCarthy last year and then handing him the keys when they let Sam Darnold leave the building this spring.<\/p>\n Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, Orlovsky \u2014 a former 12-year NFL QB \u2014 continued to rave about McCarthy, saying he expects big things this season in the 22-year-old\u2019s debut campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s gonna be awesome this year,\u201d he said. \u201cHonestly. I totally believe, production-wise, he\u2019ll play very similar to what Sam did last year. One, there\u2019s just a scheme and a roster talent \u2014 Minnesota\u2019s the easiest place in the NFL to play quarterback this year. It\u2019s as good an offensive roster as we have in the NFL. And then you combine it with scheme and play caller in Kevin O\u2019Connell, a lot of guys would go to Minnesota and play good football.<\/p>\n \u201cI think J.J., the skills that he has and the foundation that he has, he\u2019s a play on rhythm, listen to his feet when it comes to where and when to throw the football, the timing of the way he plays the position, the way that he was taught to play the position at Michigan, is perfect for what is the necessary stuff playing that position in Minnesota.\u201d<\/p>\n NFL analysts: Vikings have best offensive supporting cast in NFC<\/a><\/p>\n The Vikings have the best supporting cast of offensive players (and coaches) around their quarterback in the NFC, at least according to Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen of The Athletic.<\/p>\n \u201cI still think the uptick in offensive line talent means they finish 13th in rushing efficiency, instead of 20th, and when you combine that with what the passing game supporting cast looks like, I think it\u2019s enough for me to put them at No. 1,\u201d said Mays in a recent episode of The Athletic Football Show.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mention that Kevin O\u2019Connell is the reason they\u2019re No. 1, and, like, what sort of play caller he is. I\u2019m going to say that Justin Jefferson is. I think that having, if not the best receiver in the NFL then 1A, 1B with the guy who plays in Cincinnati, that matters to me,\u201d said Mays.<\/p>\n Only two Vikings make Prisco\u2019s list of top 100 NFL players for 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Only two Minnesota Vikings made the cut in a new ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL for the 2025 season, which comes from CBS Sports\u2019 Pete Prisco.<\/p>\n He\u2019s got Justin Jefferson at No. 5, the highest-ranked wide receiver on his list.<\/p>\n \u201cJefferson continues to make a strong case as the best receiver in the league,\u201d Prisco wrote. \u201cHe had 103 catches with 10 touchdowns last season, but had 28 catches of 20 yards or more to lead the league.\u201d<\/p>\n Then you have to scroll down to No. 59 to find Christian Darrisaw, the only other Viking to make it. Minnesota\u2019s left tackle is the seventh-ranked OT on the list.<\/p>\n \u201cDarrisaw was limited to seven starts last season because of a torn ACL,\u201d Prisco wrote. \u201cWhen he was on the field, he was playing at a dominating level. He\u2019s one of the best pass blockers in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n Anonymous NFL coordinator praises Vikings rookie: \u2018Solid 10-year starter\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Vikings rookie left guard Donovan Jackson, the 24th overall pick in this year\u2019s draft, is viewed by some as one of the safer players in this year\u2019s class. No prospect is ever a sure thing, but Jackson\u2019s combination of size, athleticism, and college performance seem to give him a pretty high floor.<\/p>\n In a new article from ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler, in which various anonymous NFL people weigh in on their favorite offseason moves, one coordinator had good things to say about Jackson.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know why I really like this pick? He\u2019s going to be a solid 10-year starter,\u201d the coach said. \u201cNot sure he\u2019s elite, but he will make a few Pro Bowls and be a really good player for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Lions QB Jared Goff Causes Stir After Shading Vikings in Video<\/a><\/p>\n Goff is 7-3 against the Vikings in his career. Moreover, he has led the Lions to five straight victories against his NFC North rival as their starting QB.<\/p>\n He certainly has bragging rights.<\/p>\n Rather than take the high road, Goff stirred the pot when given the opportunity. During an autograph session as part of an appearance for Fanatics, Goff was offered a Vikings cap to sign. He did, but he also crossed out the logo.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, man,\u201d Goff says to himself in the video, which was originally shared on TikTok but got reposted to X by The Detroit Times on June 17.<\/p>\n \u201cShould\u2019ve just signed \u2018Daddy,\u2019\u201d said a fan in the replies of the original post.<\/p>\n Lions Star Praises Vikings<\/p>\n On the other side of the coin from Goff about the Vikings is Lions teammate and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He noted he is 6-2 against his rivals in Minnesota.<\/p>\n Still, the three-time Pro Bowler praised Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Vikings, they\u2019re a good team,\u201d St. Brown told Vikings rookie wideout Tai Felton on \u201cThe St. Brown Podcast\u201d on June 11. \u201cCoach Flores, your DC, bro? I don\u2019t know what you guys are going to be doing in practice. But in games, bro, he runs the craziest defenses I\u2019ve ever seen in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n NFC North in 2025: Case for\/against the Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings to win division<\/a><\/p>\n Given the increased schedule difficulty in 2025, will the NFC North remain the top division in football? At the very least, it might be the most competitive. It wouldn\u2019t be a stunner if any of the teams finished first. Case in point: You can legitimately make a case for or against each of the four clubs winning the division with a straight face.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n The case for Minnesota winning the division: General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah earned his contract extension. The Vikings have a loaded roster with talent at every level on both sides of the ball. Minnesota identified a weakness in the trenches last year and addressed it this offseason. Adding Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and rookie Donovan Jackson upgrades the interior O-line after last year\u2019s crew got pushed around. The additions should not only aid quarterback J.J. McCarthy but open more holes for Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in the ground game, too. On D, it snagged linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Sure, the two are a bit longer in the tooth, but when healthy, they can be a dangerous duo.<\/p>\n The Vikings defense under Brian Flores can get after opponents, and the DC has particularly been adept at rattling QBs early in the season. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are terrors off the edge. Minnesota produced last year despite getting relatively little from 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner. Imagine if Turner becomes a force in Year 2.<\/p>\n We already knew Kevin O\u2019Connell was a quarterback whisperer. The coach wrote his magnum opus last year, turning Sam Darnold from a washout to a Pro Bowler. O\u2019Connell\u2019s ability to get the most out of his talent at the most difficult position in sports, regardless of who is under center, provides confidence that the Vikings can overcome McCarthy\u2019s greenhorn status.<\/p>\n The final reason to believe in Minnesota is simple: the presence of All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n The case against Minnesota: McCarthy is a great unknown. Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, there were questions about whether the Michigan quarterback could carry a prolific offense, given it wasn\u2019t something he was asked to do under Jim Harbaugh. McCarthy always seemed to nail the one pass he needed every game in the march to a national title, but could he make eight or 10 plays like that every week? We received no answers last year after he missed the entire campaign due to a knee injury. For now, everything McCarthy-centric is a projection. Projections often fail to translate accurately from the paper to the field. If he struggles with the pacing of the NFL game in his first real action against starters, the rest of the roster might not be able to make up for it.<\/p>\n Beyond McCarthy, there are not a ton of roster or coaching holes, but the Vikings are thin on the back end and could use another veteran corner. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off an ACL tear and is penciled in for a significant role. There is also the lack of an obvious third safety in Flores\u2019 scheme. Then there is this on offense: What if Christian Darrisaw doesn\u2019t bounce back to his stalwart self after last year\u2019s knee injury?<\/p>\n Note: Pay site<\/p>\n