NFL insider clarifies significant gray area regarding Minnesota Vikings potentially losing DC Brian Flores

Tom Pelissero clears the air on the Vikings’ extension of Brian Flores and how it relates to compensatory NFL draft picks.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings had some big news on Wednesday night when they announced defensive coordinator Brian Flores had agreed to a contract extension with the team.

It was the news many Vikings fans had been hoping for with Flores arguably being the best assistant coach in the NFL. With him likely returning to the team due to his extension, it gives the Vikings added continuity that is invaluable for the future.

Tom Pelissero clarifies Brian Flores’ contract extension

The one thing that hasn’t been clear is what happens if Flores ends up taking a head coaching job this cycle. A minority candidate being hired to be a head coach or general manager nets the team that loses the assistant. With Flores’ contract having been reported to expire on Wednesday, Jan. 14, there were questions about whether or not Flores would net any compensatory picks.

We got a little bit of clarity on the entire situation from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who appeared on KFAN’s Power Trip morning show, reported that Flores and the Vikings had agreed to the extension a week prior.

“The short version is the only way to get Brian Flores now is as your head coach up until yesterday,” said Pelissero. “And really, they had agreed to terms last week, but it got finalized and signed yesterday, up until that time another team, whether that was the [Washington] Commanders who interviewed him, whether that was the [Green Bay] Packers who have an opening, whether that was the [San Francisco] 49ers, you could have potentially lured him as a defensive coordinator. I know Kevin O’Connell was always confident that Brian Flores was going to come back. My understanding is that they made a huge offer, the type that Flores, as a defensive coordinator, was not going to be able to refuse.”

One of the tough things about this situation is that the language in 2020 Resolution JC-2A is very vague when it comes to compensatory picks being awarded.

  1. The employer-club shall be eligible to receive this Draft choice compensation if:
    • The minority employee hired as a Head Coach or Primary Football Executive has been employed by the employer-club for a minimum of two full seasons; and
    • The minority employee is not the Head Coach or Primary Football Executive of the employer-club and is hired into the same position with the new club. There can be no break in employment between clubs.

What does an employment break mean here? The Vikings having an extension agreed upon with Flores before the contract expires could be the evidence needed that would award them compensatory picks if the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens hire him.

Right now, the Vikings are in a great spot with Flores set to return, and possibly just as well if he chooses to leave.

Related Articles