Brian Flores signs contract extension to remain Vikings defensive coordinator — unless he’s hired as a head coach

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be staying with the Vikings — if he’s not hired as the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens.

Flores signed a new contract with the Vikings on Wednesday, Jan. 21, ending prolonged negotiations that likely ended with Flores getting a raise after the Vikings defense ranked third in yards allowed and seventh in points allowed last season.

Flores, 44, could still leave the Vikings if he’s hired to his second NFL head coaching job. The ex-Dolphins head coach has interviewed with the Ravens and Steelers this cycle.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said this month he was confident the Vikings would get a deal done with Flores, who just oversaw the franchise’s first top-10 finish in points and yards allowed since 2018.

In three Vikings seasons, Flores has been credited for identifying players in free agency, such as outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, and helping to develop others like safety Josh Metellus.

“Brian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets, and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field,” O’Connell said in a statement. “The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation.”

“On a personal level, I’ve really valued the relationship we’ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success.”

Flores cited the “business part of this” when asked Dec. 30 why he wasn’t yet signed to a new deal. O’Connell echoed that notion when likening Flores’ situation to a player testing his value in free agency.

The business part now fits with the Vikings and Flores.

The football part has always fit.

The Vikings defense has ascended all three years under Flores’ unorthodox, blitz-happy style that fit the kind of aggression O’Connell was seeking following a passive 2022 season under former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

Minnesota has led the league in blitz rate during each of Flores’ three seasons, according to Pro Football Reference, unleashing chaos through an assortment of presnap disguises and postsnap pressure.

It wasn’t always smooth last season, but defenders eventually found a groove that safety Harrison Smith credited to newcomers buying into a system that asks players to do some different things.

“Tell them, ‘Don’t worry, it all means something,’ ” Metellus said last year. “‘It’s not just crazy stuff Flo is putting up on the board. It all works.’”

Flores wants to be an NFL head coach again, previously saying it would take the “right situation” for him to leave Minnesota. He spent three seasons as the Dolphins head coach from 2019 through 2021, going 24-25 while never making the playoffs.

Flores has an ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and three teams alleging systemic racial discrimination and “sham” interviews during the 2022 head coaching cycle.

There will be changes to the Vikings’ coaching staff regardless of Flores’ status.