Brian Flores makes a telling admission about Jordan Love ahead of Packers’ Week 1 opener against the Vikings
The Vikings defensive coordinator revealed what makes Packers QB Jordan Love such a big challenge ahead of Week 1 NFC North rivalry matchup.
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings open the 2026 regular season on Sunday, and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores offered high praise for Packers quarterback Jordan Love ahead of the Week 1 NFC North showdown. Flores, one of the most respected defensive minds in football, has watched Love develop from across the division since 2023, and his comments reflect genuine admiration for the quarterback’s growth.
“His growth and development has been outstanding,” Flores said. “He sat for three seasons. When I got here, I don’t remember if that was the first year starting, but he’s just grown and grown. His command of the offense, whether it’s cadence, or on the ball, or no huddle, he’s got total command and understanding of what they’re trying to do.”
Love and LaFleur are a tough duo to go against
Flores also showed respect to Packers head coach and offensive play-caller Matt LaFleur, highlighting the partnership that has consistently put Green Bay among the top offenses in football.
“Obviously, he’s got a great coach and they work extremely well together,” Flores added. “A great rapport with his receivers. He’s always been super talented, a naturally gifted, accurate thrower of the football. It’s actually been fun to watch him grow. And so a big, big challenge for us, no doubt about that.”
The Packers’ offense against the Vikings’ defense has been a compelling matchup since Flores took over as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator in 2023, the same year Love became Green Bay’s starting quarterback. Over that stretch, the two sides have met six times, five of them with Love under center. The Packers scored 10, 33, 29, 25, and 23 points, compiling a 2-3 record. The final meeting last season featured third-string quarterback Clayton Tune and several backups, and Green Bay managed only three points.
With Love as the starter, Green Bay has averaged 24 points per game against Flores’ defense. That’s a respectable number against any unit, but especially against one known for its ability to generate and manufacture pressure. After that first meeting in 2023, when the Packers scored only 10 points early in Love’s tenure as a starter, the quarterback has found more success against Minnesota’s scheme. Love’s aggressiveness as a passer has served as an effective counter to Flores’ pressure-heavy approach.
A matchup of elite football minds
Flores brings a deep coaching resume to this rivalry. He spent a full decade as an assistant with the New England Patriots, including time as the defensive play-caller late in his stint. He then served as the Miami Dolphins head coach for three seasons before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 as the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. Minnesota hired him as its defensive coordinator in 2023, and over three seasons, he has established himself as one of the premier defensive coaches in the NFL.
Love, meanwhile, has developed into one of the most effective and efficient quarterbacks in the league. Last season, he ranked second in adjusted EPA per play and seventh in success rate. The combination of Love’s precision and coach Matt LaFleur’s offensive design has made this Packers offense a difficult assignment for any defensive coordinator.
