Brian Flores controls his future since his contract with the Minnesota Vikings is expiring, and he’s a free agent. He can return to the Vikings on a more lucrative offer as a defensive coordinator, but right now, it appears Flores wants to see what his head coaching prospects are.
Flores will interview for the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job, potentially replacing John Harbaugh after his firing this week. Moreover, Albert Breer of SI.com reported on Jan. 8, citing a source, that Flores’ interview with the Ravens will happen next week.
With Flores looking at all his options, NFL insider Tom Pelissero made a Jan. 8 appearance on KFAN1003 and shared the latest on what he is hearing on the defensive coordinator and whether a return to the Vikings is possible.
“In terms of Flo’s contract, I don’t get the sense that that’s on the front burner [with the Vikings], because he’s focused right now on what head coaching opportunities potentially could be out there,” Pelissero said.
“Once you get past that, let’s see exactly how some of those other dominoes fall. Is it in play for Flo to potentially come back? Yes. But there’s a lot of other interest, I would tell you that, in terms of defensive coordinator, if there’s not a head coaching opportunity out there.”
Cowboys Eye Vikings Coach for DC Role
While the Vikings could be playing the waiting game with Flores, Minnesota could be losing its potential replacement for him.
On Jan. 8, Todd Archer, who covers the Dallas Cowboys for ESPN, reported , citing multiple sources, that the Cowboys have requested permission to speak with Minnesota defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
Jones isn’t alone on the list of candidates Dallas reportedly wants to speak to, as Denver Broncos assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard and Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda are also on the list.
Moreover, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added to the initial report that Jones would be on a very short list to replace Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator if Flores departs.
Vikings Want Brian Flores to Stay
On Dec. 28, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with reporters and shared his thoughts on Flores’ future, making it clear what he wants to happen.
“We have [had contract extension talks]; it goes back a long way before those reports,” O’Connell told reporters . “We’ve had recent [and] very good dialogue. Flo knows I love him. He was the guy three years ago that I identified to bring in here, and the growth, and just our relationship, and what he’s meant to me personally is so massive.
“That’s not even taken into account what he’s been able to do defensively for our team and been such a huge part of helping us daily, minute to minute, weather the different storms we had to navigate this year. Things are in a really positive place right now. I absolutely want Brian Flores to be the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings as long as we can have him.”
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