10 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for the 2024 offseason
By Chris Schad
![Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1567,h_881,x_206,y_30/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/63/01hky24k5jazcs9xrwqa.jpg)
Bold Vikings Prediction No. 4
Brian Flores will return as defensive coordinator
One of the most expected moves of the offseason is that Brian Flores will leave for a head coaching job. But it might be premature to assume he’ll leave after one season in Minnesota.
Flores did a remarkable job turning the Vikings’ 30th defense under Ed Donatell in 2023 into the 13th-ranked defense in points allowed this season.
He installed a new system and got the most out of players who didn’t get the opportunity to shine with previous regimes.
That resume should be good enough to get Flores a job somewhere, but he could be looking for the right opportunity after his previous stint with the Miami Dolphins went sideways.
While teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders have openings, Flores may want to enter a more stable situation, such as the one in New England now that the Patriots have moved on from Bill Belichick.
Even then, there could be hesitation from owners to hire Flores due to his pending discrimination lawsuit against the NFL.
Flores is qualified to be a head coach, but he might wait for the right opportunity before jumping back into that role.