The Minnesota Vikings had three preferred candidates to replace Ed Donatell as Defensive Coordinator: Ejiro Evero, Sean Desai and Brian Flores.

In the past three weeks, names continued to shuffle around in an effort to secure a DC. However, road blocks kept occuring.

• Desai opted out of consideration with the Vikings. Opting to focus on Denver instead.
• Evero is now the Carolina Panthers DC.
• Flores was considered a potential favorite for the Denver Broncos DC or even as the Arizona Cardinals HC position.

Despite all the uncertainty, the Vikings have secured their DC for 2023 after all. In a fantastic twist, Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant HC and LB's coach Brian Flores is headed to Minnesota.

Brian Flores was a candidate for the #Broncos DC job and the #AZCardinals head coaching job. He heads to Minnesota instead, and Sean Desai interviews with the #Broncos for their DC job tomorrow. https://t.co/xEwckYg6tl

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2023

With the Broncos seemingly leaning towards Desai for their DC position, it left the Cardinals HC job as the biggest hurdle from coming to the Vikings. However, recent reports indicate that coaches are largely avoiding Arizona due to the massive contract attached to QB Kyler Murray.

Flores instead joins the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, fresh off a NFC North title.

The defense needs plenty of work, ranking 31st against the pass, 20th against the run and 30th in points allowed.

Flores will have a lot to work on, especially with the uncertainty of key defensive players such as Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson, Harrison Smith and Za'Darius Smith, and their future in Minnesota.

For now at least, the Vikings have found their man to helm the defensive side of the ball.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn of USA TODAY Sports