Kevin O’Connell sets the record straight about Minnesota Vikings future for Brian Flores

The Minnesota Vikings want to bring back Brian Flores as their defensive coordinator, and Kevin O’Connell was emphatic in saying so.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings will see a lot of changes this offseason, and one of the biggest could be at defensive coordinator. Brian Flores‘ contract expires after the season, and the Vikings are working hard to bring him back on an extension.

The defense has been the most consistent part of the Vikings during the last three years. It has also had multiple elite performances, including a Christmas Day game in which it forced six turnovers against the Detroit Lions.

Brian Flores is a priority for the Minnesota Vikings

Retaining Flores could prove difficult. He has already been linked to the Dallas Cowboys for their defensive coordinator job and will likely receive multiple head coach interviews. Kevin O’Connell spoke about the Flores reports on Monday, including his relationship that brought him to Minnesota.

“Yeah, we have [talked], and it goes back a long ways before those reports. But yeah, we’ve had recent dialogue, very, very good dialogue,” said O’Connell. “Flo knows I love him. He was the guy three years ago that I identified to bring in here, and the growth and just our relationship, and what he’s meant to me personally is so massive. That’s not even taken into account what he’s been able to do defensively for our team.”

He’s right about the success of the defense. It ranks fourth in EPA/play and fifth in success rate allowed this season, and, with the turnstile that quarterback has been, Flores’ unit has been key to many Vikings victories this season.

“He’s been such a huge part of helping us daily, minute to minute, weathering the different storms we had to navigate this year. Things are in a really positive place right now,” O’Connell continued. “I absolutely want Brian Flores to be the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings as long as we can have him. I would say this: he’s demonstrated a lot of things that, I imagine, he’s going to be a pretty popular guy [as a head coaching candidate] as well. And rightfully so. He’s earned everything. And that doesn’t take away from the route we want to go to make sure he’s our defensive coordinator here for the foreseeable future.”

It’s far from a sure thing that O’Connell can keep Flores in the building, but make no mistake about it. They want him to return next season.

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