Brian Flores bestowed prestigious honor after tremendous 2025 season, becoming the first Minnesota Viking to do so
It hasn’t been the easiest road for Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and the PFWA recognized him.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores received a prestigious award on Thursday, as the Pro Football Writers of America was selected as the 2026 George Halas Award winner.
Beating out Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Flores is the first member of the Vikings organization to receive the honor. The PFWA gives the award as follows:
The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. The award is named for Halas, a charter member (1963) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who was associated with the Chicago Bears and NFL from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner, manager, player and promoter. Halas won 324 games and six NFL titles in 40 seasons as a coach.
Brian Flores wins George Halas Award
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Flores won the award. He is in year four of a lawsuit against the NFL and has been dealing with the aftereffects of that. The head coaching interviews have been limited over the last two years, despite leading one of the best units in the NFL since he arrived in Minnesota.
Being able to handle that kind of adversity and be arguably the best assistant coach in the league is something that is both impressive and admirable, hence the award given to him by the PFWA.
He joins some intriguing names over the last few years, including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (2025), former Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera (2022), and former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason (2016).
