Insiders Argue Over Potential Schism Between Brian Flores, MN Vikings

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Brian Flores and Kevin O'Connell - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Former Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is out touring the NFL this week. And since he’s a coaching free agent, B-Flo is “free” to take interviews with whatever potential employee he may be interested in working for.

So far, that list includes the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, who are interviewing him as a head coach, along with the Washington Commanders, who are interested in bringing him in as their defensive coordinator.

Minnesota Vikings waiting on Brian Flores to shop around

Flores has also received interest from the Raiders (HC) and Cowboys (DC). Yet… all the MN Vikings can do is sit on the offer they’ve already made B-Flo… and watch as their defense flirts with rival teams.

That was not a typo. Brian Flores is the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, which ranked top five in most major statistical categories for team defense in 2025. Without B-Flo in the equation, there are probably even more questions surrounding the Vikings’ 2026 defense, than offense.

Minnesota Vikings - Brian Flores and Kevin O'Connell
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Earlier this week, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters gathered in Eagan that he expects Brian Flores to return as MN Vikings defensive coordinator, if he does not receive the head coaching opportunity he is looking for on the open market.

According to just about every media member in town and nationally, money is not the problem in bringing back Flores, something Ch. 5 Eyewitness News sports insider, Darren Wolfson, reiterated on the latest episode of Purple Daily (SKOR North), Thursday.

“I am led to believe the Wolves are willing to compensate Flo very, very well. I don’t think it is going to be a money thing. It’s not going to be money. It’s not going to be financial.”

Daren Wolfson – Purple Daily (SKOR North)

So if Minnesota’s offer isn’t what’s holding Brian Flores back from returning as Vikings DC, then what’s really going on in Eagan? Well, if you are asking those questions, you aren’t the only one.

Drama behind the Vikings scenes?

Others are starting to wonder what’s happening behind the scenes at TCO Performance Center, as well. But it sounds like the answers are proving more difficult to find, than normal.

There have been nuggets and “breadcrumbs” dropped in recent weeks, by a few brave media members, suggesting a sort of schism between some inside the Vikings organization, and Brian Flores.

The head coach, of course, has pushed back on any talk that he or others do not want B-Flo back, as have some reporters. But the smoke remains, because there are too many plugged in people reporting the same thing. Until these rumors are fleshed out or Flores returns, the firestorm is prone to kicking up at any time.

That brings us back to Thursday episode of Purple Daily, where the previously mentioned local insider, Darren Wolfson, was trying his best to pour baking soda on the hot coals of this smouldering rumor of possible Vikings vs Flores internal beef.

Local insiders spar over legitimacy of Brian Flores + Vikings beef

On today’s show, Wolfson tried reporting to hosts Phil Mackey, Judd Zulgad and Declan Goff that his insider sources close to the MN Vikings do NOT lead him to believe there is any measurable schism between anyone inside the organization and Flores.

But Mackey — a veteran reporter who’s worked decades between the Twins, Timberwolves and Vikings beat and has plenty of connections within his own rolodex — was not up for his good friend’s propaganda session.

Phil cut Darren off, and stated pretty bluntly that there IS a non-football-related drama happening behind the scenes at TCO Performance Center, and that reporters either don’t have a good handle on exactly what it is OR they just aren’t putting it out for public consumption.

Wolfson: “I have not heard of any sort of schism with KOC, or others…I have not heard of any sort of fallout [between] Flo and others out in Eagan…”

Mackey: “There is drama in some form behind the scenes. The exact nature of it has not come out.”

Wolfson: “Well, define drama, Phil, because expectations were enormous this year, even if Vegas said 8.5 over under, right?”

Mackey: “It’s not that. It’s not football. There’s something off, behind the scenes with Brian Flores, that’s not football…There’s enough smoke here, where him going to interview for a DC job makes it even more interesting….”

Purple Daily – SKOR North

Mackey goes on to vaguely highlight some widely unreported “threads” around the internet that have been swirling out some interesting speculation recently. He’s likely referring to a since-deleted Instagram post that hit the internet over a year ago.

I never saw the post, but in it, a former Vikings assistant apparently made some pretty bold accusations against the inner-workings of the organization, one of which took aim at Flores.

I will link here for more information and details regarding the who/what/when/how of those accusations. Like Phil, I hesitate to spread around accusational skeletons, especially when they were originally pulled out of the closet by angry former employees.

Without Brian Flores, MN Vikings need to rethink entire future

Should Brian Flores leave, no matter the reason, this organization might need to take a step back so they can look long and hard into the mirror.

If B-Flo leaves, the Minnesota Vikings would start their offseason without an answer at quarterback, with major holes on both lines, with depth issues at running back, trust issues at wide receiver and a defensive unit that might look completely different, without their DC genius.

At what point do you waive the white flag on trying to be in “win now” mode?

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