Despite still being in the running for multiple head coaching positions, Brian Flores re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. The 44-year-old has spent the last three seasons as the Vikes' defensive coordinator but spent the 2025 campaign on an expiring contract, which officially lapsed on January 14.
Flores recently interviewed for the lead jobs with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, but if he's not hired to either of those roles (or any of the other remaining head coaching vacancies), he'll be back in Minnesota for a fourth season.
While the Brooklyn, NY native undoubtedly deserves a second shot as a head coach after his three-year stint with the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, Vikings fans everywhere certainly wouldn't mind if he doesn't get one during this cycle, as he's obviously one of the best DCs in the game.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores nominated for notable NFL award
And his success in Minnesota this past season was rewarded on Thursday, as Flores was named as one of the five finalists for the Associated Press' Assistant Coach of the Year Award, the winner of which will be named during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5.
- Vic Fangio - Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator
- Brian Flores - Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
- Vance Joseph - Denver Broncos defensive coordinator
- Klint Kubiak - Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
- Josh McDaniels - New England Patriots offensive coordinator
While Flores certainly faces some stiff competition, he unquestionably has the resume to take the award.
Despite not having a single player selected to the Pro Bowl (that was on all units, by the way), the Vikings' defense ranked first in the NFL in pressure rate, first in no-blitz pressure rate, second in passing yards allowed, surrendering only 158.5 per game, third in total yards allowed, surrendering just 282.6 per contest, and seventh in scoring, giving up only 19.6 points per week.
And during Minnesota's five-game winning streak to close out the season, the numbers were even more impressive, as the Vikings surrendered just 224.4 total yards and 10.4 points per contest. So, again, Flores certainly has the qualifications to win this prestigious award.
This is the second season in a row that Flores has been named a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year, losing out last year to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who, of course, went on to be named the head coach of the Chicago Bears.