Packers could technically steal Brian Flores from the Vikings, but pulling it off would be far more complicated
Brian Flores’ contract with the Vikings expired last week, and he’s free to sign elsewhere.
The Green Bay Packers are looking for a new defensive coordinator after losing Jeff Hafley, who became the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. So far, the team has requested interviews with three candidates — Christian Parker, Daronte Jones, and Jonathan Gannon.
And while Daronte Jones is a member of the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff, there’s a bigger fish in that pond who’s now available. After three years as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Brian Flores is now a free agent. Therefore, even if it’s a lateral move, the Vikings couldn’t block Flores from interviewing for or accepting the DC job with the Packers.
That would be a massive swing, as the Vikings have had the second-best defense in football by EPA/play during Flores’ stint, even if the talent on the field did not always match that level of performance.
Getting Brian Flores won’t be easy for the Packers
First, Flores’ priority in this cycle is to have his second shot as a head coach. After a fine but underwhelming stint on the Miami Dolphins, he’s taken interviews with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens — and advanced to the second round in Pittsburgh to potentially replace his former boss, Mike Tomlin.
However, Flores also interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator position — something the Vikings could block if the coach was under contract. His deal with Minnesota expired last Wednesday.
Technically, the Packers can interview Flores at any point. During the season, the Vikings’ DC talked about Packers HC Matt LaFleur with a lot of respect.
“I don’t think it’s being talked about enough,” Flores. “It’s impressive to watch. He’s obviously a very, very good coach, one of the best in the league.”
Back in 2019, before the Packers hired LaFleur as head coach, they also interviewed Flores. This time around, though, it’s hard to see Green Bay actually pulling the trigger.
If he doesn’t get the job in Pittsburgh or Baltimore, Flores will study his options as a DC. And don’t get me wrong, the position in Green Bay is attractive — he’d have a fair share of job security, a lot of talent to work with (can you imagine Micah Parsons playing in Flores’ defensive scheme?), and a real potential to improve his odds to get a head coaching position soon. But money talks.
The Vikings have a very intriguing financial offer to Flores, which would be the big hurdle for the Packers, who tend to allocate limited resources to building the coaching staff. To take him away from Minnesota, Green Bay would have to pay Flores basically what a low-level head coach makes — and that’s after getting an extension done that will significantly raise LaFleur’s salary.
Getting Brian Flores away from the Vikings would be huge for the Packers. But it’s much easier said than done after all.
Green Bay Packers News
Packers aren’t being subtle about their intentions as early steps reveal an intriguing trend in the DC search
Green Bay has already requested interviews with Christian Parker and Daronte Jones.
