The Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator search took another turn on Sunday as NFL Network’s Tom Pellissero reports that Ejero Evero will be hired to take the same position with the Carolina Panthers.
The Vikings had been patiently waiting to interview the former defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos as a candidate to replace Ed Donatell. SI’s Albert Breer reported that Evero was set to interview for the Vikings job early this week and longtime Broncos insider Mike Klis said that “all signs pointed to” Evero coming to Minnesota.
The Panthers threw a wrench into those plans as Pelissero reported that new head coach Frank Reich “moved swiftly” to hire Evero, who Pellissero called “one of the NFL’s most talented coaches.”
With Evero out of the picture, it appears the Vikings are down to two candidates for the job. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker coach Brian Flores interviewed for the defensive coordinator position last week and remains a candidate but he is also a finalist and has a second interview scheduled for the head coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals.
#Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores is expected to have a 2nd interview with the #AZCardinals for their HC job on Wednesday, source said. He also will interview with the #Broncos DC job the day before — and is a top candidate for the #Vikings DC job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2023
Vikings defensive assistant Mike Pettine also interviewed for the job after serving under Donatell last season.
Whoever will take over the Vikings’ defense will have their work cut out for them as they ranked 28th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed last season.
