DC Brian Flores
This is the likely departure that'll hurt the worst. No new face and maybe even no one overall, has had a bigger positive impact on the 2023 Vikings than defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He took a unit that was ranked near the bottom of the league a season ago and has made it into a top unit in 2023.
Flores does have some superstars on his side of the ball with guys like Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith. He also has a handful of inexperienced players like Akayleb Evans, Ivan Pace Jr., and Mekhi Blackmon. No matter the level of experience, he continues to get the most out of his players by putting them into the best positions to succeed.
Flores's attacking, blitz-heavy style is the reason this unit has found such success. They are putting constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and it is causing confusion and also forcing the ball out sooner than they'd like. The Vikings' defense has become a strength, and it is all because of the elite job Brian Flores has done.
Teams will definitely take notice of what Flores has done and start calling for interviews as soon as the season is over. He has been a head coach before with the Dolphins and will get another shot at some point. He ruffled some feathers when he sued the NFL for discrimination, so perhaps that is what could keep him in Minnesota for another season. Vikings fans will hope that is the case because losing Flores will be a huge blow to the future of this defense.