Vikings’ Worst Nightmare Inching Closer — Brian Flores Could Leave, And Bears Stand To Benefit

The Minnesota Vikings are in an awkward spot right now. They seem to have a roster that is fully capable of a deep playoff run. Unfortunately, they have a glaring weakness at the quarterback position. J.J. McCarthy hasn’t shown many signs of progress. The decision to let Sam Darnold walk looks worse by the day. Trying to find solutions won’t be easy since the team has neither the draft position nor the money to throw around. Unfortunately, the problems don’t end there for them. Another is emerging with Brian Flores.

Most would agree that the former head coach has been the best defensive coordinator in the NFL this year. His unit ranks 5th in the NFL. If that holds, it will mark the second straight season Flores’ defense finishes a year in the top five in either points allowed or total yards. The widespread belief is that he’s the sharpest mind going in the league today, and yet the Vikings haven’t extended his contract, meaning he could become a free agent this offseason. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk warns that it may come back to haunt them.

Another team is preparing a full-court press to lure him away.

While the Vikings attempt to extend the expiring contract of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, it won’t matter if another team wants to hire him to be a head coach. It will matter if another team is thinking about hiring him as its next defensive coodinator.

There could be more than one. But one such team that is lurking is the Cowboys.

Dallas seems to be destined to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, after a disastrous reunion year. (Never mind the fact that owner/G.M. Jerry Jones traded the defense’s best player 10 days before Week 1.) And the increasing chatter in league circles is that the Cowboys will be firmly in play for Flores.

The Vikings, we’re told, are keenly aware of the possibility.

Dallas has the bait to get Brian Flores.

For one, Jerry Jones has deep pockets. He would have zero issues paying top dollar for the young defensive coordinator. Dallas has plenty of quality players on defense, headlined by Quinnen Williams. Last but not least, the Cowboys boast something the Vikings can’t. They have a proven quarterback. Getting to coordinate a defense across from Dak Prescott would almost certainly improve his odds of winning a championship and pushing his star high enough for another shot at a head coaching job.

Words cannot describe how disastrous this would be for Minnesota. Brian Flores is the primary reason this team has been considered a Super Bowl contender. Opponents fear his wild and crazy schemes. The chances of finding somebody as good or better if he leaves are incredibly low. Remember, Dallas has a long history of hiring big-name defensive coordinators. They grabbed Rob Ryan in 2011, Monte Kiffin in 2013, Rod Marinelli in 2014, and Dan Quinn in 2021. This is the sort of thing they do.

Bears fans should be hoping Jerry gets it done, because it would instantly make a division rival considerably weaker.