Brian Flores is very likely staying in Minnesota.
The Vikings signed Flores to a contract extension Wednesday, the team announced. Terms of the deal are not yet known, but Flores will be back with the team as their defensive coordinator next season so long as he doesn’t land a head-coaching job elsewhere.
“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,” head coach Kevin 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.”
[Get more Vikings news: Minnesota team feed]
Flores is still a candidate for the head-coaching job with both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both of those teams split from their longtime coaches — John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin, respectively — earlier this month.
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Flores has spent the last three seasons as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. The Vikings allowed a third-best 282.6 yards per game and seventh-best 19.6 points per game last season, though they went just 9-8 and missed the playoffs.
Though he’s found success in Minnesota, Flores is still a top candidate to land a head-coaching job — whether that is this offseason or in the future. Flores spent 15 seasons as a defensive assistant with the New England Patriots under coach Bill Belichick before he was hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three seasons before a tumultuous exit. He spent one season as an assistant with the Steelers before O’Connell hired him.
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