Time To Reward Brian Flores
I think that we should hopefully here about a hefty extension for Brian Flores soon. The Vikings have been adding defensive players via free agency and the draft that Coach Flores feels will be good in his scheme. If Flores leaves for a head coach position, do the Vikings have contingency plans for a coordinator that runs a similar defensive scheme as Flores. Maybe not exactly similar obviously but one where the players acquired will be good fits. I would hate to see them hire someone who feels they should move certain players due to scheme fit.
I will say it may be overblown a bit since the Vikings are not handing out 4 to 5 year deals. In fact, the only players under contract in 2027 that are not rookies and that are making over 10M are Jefferson, Hockenson*, Darrisaw, Fries, Greenard*, Allen*, Hargrave*, and Murphy*. The asterisk indicates it is the last year of their deal. JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner will be in their 4th year and could get their 5th year option picked up.
So, even if Flores leaves, the team could hire the best defensive coordinator they can find and start acquiring players that fit the new scheme without incurring too much dead money or having to hang onto players that may be bad fits.
What would be a good deal for Flores?
How Much Do NFL Defensive Coordinators Make?
Terms of Fangio’s Eagles contract were never reported, but when he signed his Dolphins contract in 2023, it was for three years at roughly $4.5 million per year, per Sports Illustrated. NFL Media reported at the time that it made Fangio the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL. Though Fangio’s tenure with the Dolphins ended in a mutual parting of ways after the 2023 season, it seems likely that the Eagles paid him a similar or greater amount to return to his native Pennsylvania.
After the Chiefs’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Spagnuolo signed a new contract the following offseason to remain with the Chiefs that pays him around $5 million per year, according to ESPN.
Both of these contracts, as mentioned previously, are likely on the high end of NFL defensive coordinator salaries. NBC Sports reported in 2022 that the average coordinator salary was $1 million per year.
Experience pays best for NFL defensive coordinators.
I would offer Flores a 3 year deal for 18M at the minimum. He is well worth it and if you pay him good enough, he may want to stay. Of course, this assumes he gets a head coach offer.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Calculating Ripple Effects of Possible Brian Flores Departure?
As of this morning, there was a belief that the next non-player extension would go to B-Flo, who has single-handedly taken the MN Vikings defense from one of the worst in the NFL, just a couple of years ago, to one of the hardest in the league to figure out.
But of course, working out a new deal with Brian Flores is not that easy. He’s a former NFL head coach, who would probably still be leading his own team, if not been for his rocky departure from Miami a handful of years ago, a head coaching marriage that ended in a lawsuit against the league (and multiple teams) that is still pending.
According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) on the latest episode of his “Access Vikings” podcast, the longtime insider noted that, instead of signing an extension this offseason, it’s plausible Flores rides out the final year of his current deal, then hits the coaching free agency market next offseason.
“Brian Flores is also in a contract year. There is, I think, interest in an extension from the team. I will be curious to see if Flores decides to sign something or if he tries to test the market because he was in those head coaching conversations last year with a couple of teams. I wonder how that’s going to go.”
Ben Goessling – Access Vikings Podcast
The longtime Minnesota Vikings insider suggests that the uncertainty surrounding Flores’ future could be playing into extension talks with Metellus. Because if B-Flo were to leave… what exactly does Josh offer the next defensive coordinator?
If Flores were to find another job elsewhere, would the Vikings be forced to put their 27-year-old swiss-army knife defender — who’s totalled 219 tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles in the past two seasons — back into the drawer to rust?
If so, then they wouldn’t want to sign him to a lucrative long-term extension. According to Goessling, the unknown future of Flores could be playing into how far Minnesota has been willing to go thus far with Josh Metellus.
And if he does test the market, if it’s a coordinator job somewhere else, or if it’s a head coaching job somewhere else, is whoever replaces him, you know, that could be internal. It could be Toronto Jones, it could be Mike Cerrado, you know, whoever it would happen to be. Maybe that system is the same.
But if it’s not Flores, if it’s or if it’s not exactly the same. Does Martellus have the same value if somebody else is calling the plays? It’s just one of those things to kind of pinned to the clipboard, so to speak. As we’re thinking about these things and it obviously they’re gonna have to make a decision on him and tell us sooner than that, I would think. So if you’re thinking about this, keep that in the back of your mind I guess.
Ben Goessling – Access Vikings Podcast
Brian Flores has gotten multiple interviews for head coaching jobs, since joining the MN Vikings’ staff. And they aren’t going to stop him from trying again, even if he signs an extension.
But it is possible that completely disconnecting himself from any NFL franchise, prior to the start of the 2026 coaching carousel could give him a better chance at landing a new head coaching gig. That might be what the Vikings DC is thinking.
2 Vikings Coaches Predicted to Leave the Team
In a June 16 feature for ESPN, a panel discussed which NFL staffers will graduate to becoming head coaches in 2026, and a few of our guys are on the roster.
In the feature, they asked the question, “Which key assistant coach is most likely to be in the 2026 head coaching cycle?” Bears reporter Courtney Cronin and Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert both picked Vikings staffers.
In the piece, Cronin picked Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. “If the Vikings’ defense performs as well as it did in 2024 (tied for first in turnovers, second in EPA/play, fifth in points allowed), expect Flores’ name to once again circulate in the head coaching cycle,” Cronin said.
Cronin continued, “Flores interviewed for three jobs last year — Bears, Jets, Jaguars — and has been a head coach before with Dolphins. Whether teams have the desire to hire Flores with his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and the public fallout from his relationship with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (especially teams that have young QBs or are looking to draft one) remains to be seen.”
Seifert named Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, explaining that “as wild as it sounds, the 2024 season was McCown’s first full season as an NFL assistant coach. He opted against interviewing for offensive coordinator positions, but still got an interview for the New York Jets’ head coaching job.”
Seifert added, “McCown has long been on the league’s radar, having interviewed for the Houston Texans‘ top job in 2022, and if McCarthy performs well in 2025, McCown might be able to skip the coordinator level altogether.”
Dan Orlovsky continues to rave about Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky has been a believer in J.J. McCarthy since day one. In part because of the situation he was walking into, Orlovsky approved of the Vikings drafting McCarthy last year and then handing him the keys when they let Sam Darnold leave the building this spring.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, Orlovsky — a former 12-year NFL QB — continued to rave about McCarthy, saying he expects big things this season in the 22-year-old’s debut campaign.
“I think he’s gonna be awesome this year,” he said. “Honestly. I totally believe, production-wise, he’ll play very similar to what Sam did last year. One, there’s just a scheme and a roster talent — Minnesota’s the easiest place in the NFL to play quarterback this year. It’s as good an offensive roster as we have in the NFL. And then you combine it with scheme and play caller in Kevin O’Connell, a lot of guys would go to Minnesota and play good football.
“I think J.J., the skills that he has and the foundation that he has, he’s a play on rhythm, listen to his feet when it comes to where and when to throw the football, the timing of the way he plays the position, the way that he was taught to play the position at Michigan, is perfect for what is the necessary stuff playing that position in Minnesota.”
NFL analysts: Vikings have best offensive supporting cast in NFC
The Vikings have the best supporting cast of offensive players (and coaches) around their quarterback in the NFC, at least according to Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen of The Athletic.
“I still think the uptick in offensive line talent means they finish 13th in rushing efficiency, instead of 20th, and when you combine that with what the passing game supporting cast looks like, I think it’s enough for me to put them at No. 1,” said Mays in a recent episode of The Athletic Football Show.
“You mention that Kevin O’Connell is the reason they’re No. 1, and, like, what sort of play caller he is. I’m going to say that Justin Jefferson is. I think that having, if not the best receiver in the NFL then 1A, 1B with the guy who plays in Cincinnati, that matters to me,” said Mays.
Only two Vikings make Prisco’s list of top 100 NFL players for 2025
Only two Minnesota Vikings made the cut in a new ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL for the 2025 season, which comes from CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco.
He’s got Justin Jefferson at No. 5, the highest-ranked wide receiver on his list.
“Jefferson continues to make a strong case as the best receiver in the league,” Prisco wrote. “He had 103 catches with 10 touchdowns last season, but had 28 catches of 20 yards or more to lead the league.”
Then you have to scroll down to No. 59 to find Christian Darrisaw, the only other Viking to make it. Minnesota’s left tackle is the seventh-ranked OT on the list.
“Darrisaw was limited to seven starts last season because of a torn ACL,” Prisco wrote. “When he was on the field, he was playing at a dominating level. He’s one of the best pass blockers in the league.”
Anonymous NFL coordinator praises Vikings rookie: ‘Solid 10-year starter’
Vikings rookie left guard Donovan Jackson, the 24th overall pick in this year’s draft, is viewed by some as one of the safer players in this year’s class. No prospect is ever a sure thing, but Jackson’s combination of size, athleticism, and college performance seem to give him a pretty high floor.
In a new article from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, in which various anonymous NFL people weigh in on their favorite offseason moves, one coordinator had good things to say about Jackson.
“You know why I really like this pick? He’s going to be a solid 10-year starter,” the coach said. “Not sure he’s elite, but he will make a few Pro Bowls and be a really good player for a long time.”
Lions QB Jared Goff Causes Stir After Shading Vikings in Video
Goff is 7-3 against the Vikings in his career. Moreover, he has led the Lions to five straight victories against his NFC North rival as their starting QB.
He certainly has bragging rights.
Rather than take the high road, Goff stirred the pot when given the opportunity. During an autograph session as part of an appearance for Fanatics, Goff was offered a Vikings cap to sign. He did, but he also crossed out the logo.
“Oh, man,” Goff says to himself in the video, which was originally shared on TikTok but got reposted to X by The Detroit Times on June 17.
Jared Goff signing a Vikings hat but he makes sure to cross out the logo pic.twitter.com/uCgP8NswdK
— (@the_det_times) June 17, 2025
“Should’ve just signed ‘Daddy,’” said a fan in the replies of the original post.
Lions Star Praises Vikings
On the other side of the coin from Goff about the Vikings is Lions teammate and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He noted he is 6-2 against his rivals in Minnesota.
Still, the three-time Pro Bowler praised Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
“The Vikings, they’re a good team,” St. Brown told Vikings rookie wideout Tai Felton on “The St. Brown Podcast” on June 11. “Coach Flores, your DC, bro? I don’t know what you guys are going to be doing in practice. But in games, bro, he runs the craziest defenses I’ve ever seen in my life.”
NFC North in 2025: Case for/against the Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings to win division
Given the increased schedule difficulty in 2025, will the NFC North remain the top division in football? At the very least, it might be the most competitive. It wouldn’t be a stunner if any of the teams finished first. Case in point: You can legitimately make a case for or against each of the four clubs winning the division with a straight face.
Minnesota Vikings
The case for Minnesota winning the division: General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah earned his contract extension. The Vikings have a loaded roster with talent at every level on both sides of the ball. Minnesota identified a weakness in the trenches last year and addressed it this offseason. Adding Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and rookie Donovan Jackson upgrades the interior O-line after last year’s crew got pushed around. The additions should not only aid quarterback J.J. McCarthy but open more holes for Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in the ground game, too. On D, it snagged linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Sure, the two are a bit longer in the tooth, but when healthy, they can be a dangerous duo.
The Vikings defense under Brian Flores can get after opponents, and the DC has particularly been adept at rattling QBs early in the season. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are terrors off the edge. Minnesota produced last year despite getting relatively little from 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner. Imagine if Turner becomes a force in Year 2.
We already knew Kevin O’Connell was a quarterback whisperer. The coach wrote his magnum opus last year, turning Sam Darnold from a washout to a Pro Bowler. O’Connell’s ability to get the most out of his talent at the most difficult position in sports, regardless of who is under center, provides confidence that the Vikings can overcome McCarthy’s greenhorn status.
The final reason to believe in Minnesota is simple: the presence of All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.
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The case against Minnesota: McCarthy is a great unknown. Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, there were questions about whether the Michigan quarterback could carry a prolific offense, given it wasn’t something he was asked to do under Jim Harbaugh. McCarthy always seemed to nail the one pass he needed every game in the march to a national title, but could he make eight or 10 plays like that every week? We received no answers last year after he missed the entire campaign due to a knee injury. For now, everything McCarthy-centric is a projection. Projections often fail to translate accurately from the paper to the field. If he struggles with the pacing of the NFL game in his first real action against starters, the rest of the roster might not be able to make up for it.
Beyond McCarthy, there are not a ton of roster or coaching holes, but the Vikings are thin on the back end and could use another veteran corner. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off an ACL tear and is penciled in for a significant role. There is also the lack of an obvious third safety in Flores’ scheme. Then there is this on offense: What if Christian Darrisaw doesn’t bounce back to his stalwart self after last year’s knee injury?
Note: Pay site
Vikings rookie Tai Felton has been a receiver on a steady rise for years
I think that safety could be high on the list next offseason.
10 safeties to know in the 2026 NFL Draft
Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Sean Taylor and Eric Berry were the highest-drafted safeties ever, each going No. 5 overall in their respective drafts. Downs is poised to either match or exceed that draft position as he currently projects as the best prospect in the 2026 class. After transferring from Alabama last offseason, he has been the most valuable safety in college football over the past two seasons, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 91.7 PFF grade in that span is second among all FBS safetie,s while his 91.2 coverage grade is third. Downs is also a fantastic run defender, leading all players on this list with 35 run-defense stops and an 88.5 run-defense grade since 2023.
Downs is an incredibly versatile player who can thrive at free safety, slot corner or in the box. Not to mention, he’s a dynamic punt returner as well.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Thieneman’s sophomore season at Purdue wasn’t nearly as good as his freshman year. He posted just a 72.4 PFF grade after earning an 89.5 grade in 2023. Much of that can be attributed to the Boilermakers lining him up at free safety far less, a role he excels at with his elite speed and ball skills.
Dillon Thieneman’s snaps at free safety by year:
Year Percentage of snaps at free safety
2023 86.4%
2024 57%
His 89.4 PFF grade since 2023 is still fourth among returning FBS safeties, and he has 80.0-plus grades in coverage and run defense in that span. Thieneman’s arguably the best centerfielder in college football and is one of the best athletes in the nation as well. Dan Lanning should have a lot of fun incorporating his range into his defense.
Kamari Ramsey, USC
Ramsey switched Los Angeles schools last offseason, transferring from UCLA to crosstown rival USC. While he wore new colors, he kept up his stellar form. Ramsey’s 88.1 coverage grade was 12th among Power Four safeties last year after earning a 79.4 overall grade with the Bruins the year before.
He needs to get a bit stronger as a tackler, but Ramsey has outstanding instincts and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
I asked google “is safety a good position to pick in the first round of nfl draft” and here is the AI Mode response …
It’s a complex question whether drafting a safety in the first round of the NFL Draft is a “good” move, and there are varying perspectives:
Arguments against drafting a safety early:
Historical Trends: Safeties are historically not drafted as highly as other positions like quarterbacks, left tackles, or edge rushers.
Perceived Positional Value: Some analysts argue that safety isn’t considered a “premium” position in the same way as some others, leading to lower draft values.
Financial Implications: Drafting a safety high in the draft can mean paying them like a top player at their position, which might outweigh potential cap savings compared to drafting players at other positions early.
Arguments for drafting a safety early (in specific cases):
Elite Talent: If a safety prospect is considered a truly exceptional talent with elite skills and a high ceiling, they can absolutely be worth a first-round selection.
Team Needs: If a team has a pressing need at the safety position and there’s a top-rated safety available, taking them in the first round can be a strategic move to address that need.
Versatility: Safeties with versatile skill sets, capable of playing different roles in the secondary (free safety, strong safety, slot cornerback), can be highly valuable to NFL teams.
Examples of successful first-round safeties:
While drafting safeties early isn’t as common as other positions, there have been several successful examples, such as:
Sean Taylor (selected 5th overall)
Eric Berry (selected 5th overall)
Kyle Hamilton (selected 14th overall)
Jamal Adams (selected 6th overall)
Ed Reed (first-round pick)
Troy Polamalu (first-round pick)
In Conclusion:
Ultimately, whether drafting a safety in the first round is “good” depends on the specific player, the team’s needs, and their overall draft strategy. While it’s not a common practice, a truly exceptional talent at the safety position can be a valuable addition to an NFL team’s roster, even with a first-round pick.
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