What do the Minnesota Vikings do if Brian Flores leaves after one season?
Flores, 41, will undoubtedly be connected to head coaching jobs after the 2023 season no matter what he does with the Vikings defense. Flores turned around the Miami Dolphins as their head coach from 2019 to 2021 and he was reportedly a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals’ head-coaching job before taking the DC job with Minnesota.
And according NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, “several league sources emphasized how many potential head coaching jobs will be open in 2024” and that “was a consideration” for Wilson in taking the Minnesota job.
On new #Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores withdrawing from #Cardinals head coaching search, several league sources emphasized how many potential head coaching jobs will be open in 2024 and was a consideration for former #Dolphins head coach
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 7, 2023
Should Vikings fans be shocked that Flores might be using the Vikings as a springboard to a bigger job in 2024 or beyond? No, according to Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller.
“Considering Flores’ background as a successful head coach, the Vikings are presumably prepared for the possibility that he could be plucked off their staff next year. But if that happens, it probably means he made a huge impact in turning around a defense that struggled mightily in 2022,” Coller told Bring Me The Sports.
“The downside is that they would need him on staff for two years to get the compensatory draft pick for hiring a minority coach who got promoted to head coach but that’s a small price to pay if they have a dangerous, aggressive defense next year. It also wouldn’t be surprising if this is more of a two- or three-year project for Flores.”
If Flores can’t turn around the defense in one year and he still gets a head job somewhere else, then the situation gets more dynamic. But either way, his replacement, if it comes to that, could very well be working alongside him in 2023. Those names won’t be known until Flores decides who he brings onto the defensive staff in Minnesota.
Related: Flores is the right answer for whatever approach Vikings take with roster
Related: 10 facts about new Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
