In 2022, Kevin O'Connell's first year as head coach, the Minnesota Vikings made the playoffs in spite of Ed Donatell's "bend and eventually break" philosophy as defensive coordinator. So it was not a surprise when O'Connell did a 180 with Donatell's replacement when he hired Brian Flores.
The Vikings' defense naturally improved some in Flores' first season as defensive coordinator. Then last season, the Vikings led the league in takeaways, along with being top five against the run and in points allowed.
The Vikings' defense should be pretty good again this season, fueled by Flores' unpredictability and blitz-heavy tendencies. But blitz-heavy tendencies create a risk-reward equation that has to be navigated if an extra rusher doesn't get home to the quarterback often enough.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores clearly has a play-caller Kryptonite lately
The Vikings will face the Chicago Bears in Week 1 next Monday night. The Bears are, of course, now led by head coach Ben Johnson, who spent the last three seasons as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator.
So, Flores faced Johnson's Detroit offense four times over the last two seasons, and the numbers (h/t to The Purple Persuasion) are troubling.
Since becoming the DC of the Vikings, Brian Flores is 0-4 against Ben Johnson (Lions OC) calling plays.
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 2, 2025
In those 4 games, Flores’ defense allowed 30+ PPG (Avg: 31 PPG).
We’ll see if Johnson not being on the Lions changes things, but as of now, Johnson has out-schemed Flores. pic.twitter.com/k1LCkweXTf
Last season, the Lions averaged 31 points and 323 yards per game in two games against Flores and the Vikings, while the rest of the league averaged 17 points and 356 yards. In 2023, the Lions averaged 30 points and 419 yards per game in two games against the Vikings, while the rest of the league averaged 19 points and 354 yards per game.
To be fair to Flores, as a highlight of the difference between pressure (which he is rendered useless by) and raw blitzing, Lions quarterback Jared Goff knows he has to get the ball out of his hands quickly, and he has become a notable blitz beater in recent years. One of the primary issues Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had as a rookie last year was holding the ball too long, on his way to being sacked a league-high 68 times.
But Chicago also overhauled their interior offensive line this offseason, not coincidentally in the image of what the Lions had when Johnson was there, to protect Williams better. The most effective blitzes, like Flores likes to send, often come by attacking the middle. The Lions had answers for that with capable interior linemen and a decisive, quick-processing quarterback. The Bears seem to have the first part of those answers as well now.
It can be argued the Bears have more depth of skill position talent than the Lions do/did. How that helps Johnson maintain the apparent schematic advantage he has over Flores is to be determined, but the last two seasons are not a great sign for the Vikings' defense heading into the season opener.