‘We’re going to have fun’ — Vikings LB Blake Cashman has strong words about playing in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the more intriguing teams in the 2026 season thanks to the return of Brian Flores
It was a chaotic offseason for the Minnesota Vikings, and it started off at its most chaotic.
The biggest question for the Vikings was whether defensive coordinator Brian Flores was going to return to the team. His contract expired, and he took defensive coordinator interviews elsewhere. It didn’t take long for the Vikings to get him back under contract, signing him to a new long-term deal before the Senior Bowl.
Once he got re-signed, everything else started to fall into place, including the direction of the franchise.
Blake Cashman praises Brian Flores
It’s a big deal to have Flores back in the fold, especially with all the changes on defense. One consistent is at the linebacker position, with both Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson returning. Cashman spoke with Jim Rome and made it clear how happy he is that Flores is returning.
“I don’t think there is anybody happier on our defense than me. When I saw he was going to be coming back, obviously, for his career and himself and his family legacy. I’d love to see him be a head coach one day, but he is so fun to play for. I love his aggressive attitude on how he approaches game plans, his coaching style, and how he structures our practices, even it’s so specific to what we’re working on in that week, and it translates well under the fields. You see the growth in players, and I can 1,000% say, since working under Brian Flores, I’ve become astronomically smarter as a football player, and that’s something day one, when you’re in meetings, whether you’re a free agent or rookie, he says we’re going to have fun, we’re going to play with joy, and we’re going to be a football team with high football IQ, and they’re him and his staff are just great teachers of the game, and it’s very important, obviously, at this level.”
Minnesota Vikings ILB Blake Cashman
The little details surrounding how the Vikings’ defense succeeds is so important. Being able to have fun and enjoy the game is really important to success. Flores seems to be doing just that, while also thriving compared to their contemporaries, ranking fifth in the league and second against the pass.
It’s great to see the Vikings’ success throughout the tenure of Flores as defensive coordinator. It also could be a good sign for Cashman’s future with the franchise, as he enters the final year of his contract.