Vikings Extend Contract with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores

Brian Flores will remain the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings following a new contract agreement. The extension was reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, with the official announcement occurring shortly afterward. Although the parties finalized the contract on Wednesday, negotiations reportedly took place the week prior.

Continued Interest in Brian Flores

While Flores is secured with the Vikings, he remains a contender for head coaching positions with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Should he not secure one of these roles, he is set to continue his impactful work as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.

Defensive Performance Under Flores

Flores is recognized as one of the premier defensive strategists in the NFL. Under his guidance, the Vikings’ defense excelled during a challenging 2025 season for head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense. The team ranked:

• 7th in points allowed
• 3rd in total yards

This performance highlighted Flores’ aggressive defensive tactics, which have become his hallmark in coaching.

Flores’ Coaching Journey

The 44-year-old Flores has an extensive coaching background, notably with the New England Patriots. From 2004 to 2018, he held various roles and secured four Super Bowl championships. He later served as the head coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021 before being dismissed.

A significant turning point for Flores came in February 2022 when he filed a lawsuit against multiple NFL teams, alleging discriminatory hiring practices. Following this, he transitioned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was the linebacker coach and senior defensive assistant.

Impact on Vikings Players

Since joining the Vikings in 2023, Flores has revitalized the defense, drawing out the best performances from defenders like:

• Harrison Smith
• Andrew Van Ginkel
• Josh Metellus

As long as the Steelers or Ravens do not offer him a head coaching position, Flores is poised to continue leading the Vikings defense into future seasons.