MN Vikings Made Brian Flores an Offer He Couldn’t Refuse

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings’ first (and arguably most crucial) offseason domino was nudged in the direction we’ve all been guiltily praying for. As of this morning, it appears defensive coordinator Brian Flores is likely to return to the Vikings in 2026.

In fact, his new contract is technically official. The newly minted 2026 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year finalist (for the second straight year) signed his extension in Minnesota on Wednesday, before it was swiftly announced by the Vikings via social media.

Nonetheless, because Brian Flores’ deal is contingent on his failure to land a head coaching opportunity elsewhere, his future in Minnesota remains uncertain… at least for now.

So while we all wait impatiently for smoke to bellow from the football facilities in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the 2026 ACOTY finalist remains “in the mix” after multiple interviews, it’s worth wondering what changed B-Flo’s mind?

Minnesota Vikings made Brian Flores a defensive coordinator offer he couldn’t refuse

Up until now, he preferred free agency, while shopping the market for new jobs. So why make the move yesterday, before his head coaching options expired and he was forced to pick a DC job? Well, it turns out the deal was agreed to LAST WEEK.

Edina’s own NFL insider, Tom Pelissero (NFL Network), told the Power Trip Morning Show (KFAN) Thursday that’s when the Vikings and Brian Flores agreed to terms on his extension, one that the Wilfs got done by making Brian Flores an offer he could not refuse.

According to @TomPelissero, the Vikings agreed to terms on an extension with Brian Flores last week, before making it official yesterday. B-Flo's new deal is "huge" — a contract that he (as a DC) could not refuse.

"My understanding is [The Wilfs] made a huge offer, the type… pic.twitter.com/qvmGKthXAw

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 22, 2026

“Up until yesterday, and really they agreed to terms last week, but it got finalized and signed yesterday, another team — whether that were the Commanders, who interviewed him; whether that was the Packers, who have an opening; whether that was the 49ers, you could have potentially lured him as a defensive coordinator.

I know Kevin O’Connell was always confident that Brian Flores was going to come back. My understanding is [the Wilfs] made a huge offer, the type that Flores as a D-coordinator was not going to be able to refuse.

He is still in the mix [for the Steelers and Ravens jobs]… but if one of those doesn’t come through then Flo is going to be back in Minnesota, which is a coup for the Vikings.”

Tom Pelissero – Power Trip Morning Show (KFAN)

But wait, if you are a MN Vikings fan who came here hoping for more good bad news on the Flores’ interview front, and you weren’t able to listen to the video, Tom brought some guilty pleasure for you before he finished with the Power Trip this morning.

Flores unlikely to receive head coach offer from Ravens and Steelers?

According to Tom, the Steelers and Ravens are the only teams with vacant head coaching opportunities that are seriously considering Flores, meaning we will not hear about any new suitors coming into the mix.

Not only that, but Pelissero comes off like an insider who is pretty sure B-Flo isn’t at the top of either aforementioned candidate list, even if he is a finalist.

He decided Minnesota was the right place for him. There were millions of reasons for him to decide that it was the right place for him. We’ll see what shakes out in those head coaching searches, but right now, it looks like he will be back in Minnesota.”

Tom Pelissero – Power Trip Morning Show (KFAN)