Confirmed: Cowboys Want Vikings DC Brian Flores

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of questions they need answered this offseason. But really, there are two that they cannot afford to get wrong, compared to all the others.

First, they need to find the right answer at quarterback, whether it’s JJ McCarthy or someone else. Second, they must re-sign defensive coordinator Brian Flores, a coaching free agent who is expected to receive interest around the league as both a head coach and defensive coordinator.

Some NFL insiders strongly oppose the idea that Flores would leave the Vikings for anything other than an NFL head coaching job. Others, like Mike Florio (PFT) see things differently.

Confirmed: Cowboys want Brian Flores badly

Over a week ago — long before they officially fired DC Matt Eberflus on Tuesday morning — Florio reporting that the Dallas Cowboys were coming for Flores, who’s been Minnesota’s defensive coordinator for the last three seasons.

Then Tuesday morning, just moments after news of Eberflus’ exit in Dallas hit the internet, Dianna Russini (The Athletic) tagged Flores AGAIN as a possible Cowboys defensive coordinator candidate to watch. The other names she listed? Well, there were no other names…

One name to watch for the Cowboys’ new vacancy? Brian Flores. https://t.co/TlHxje29zW

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 6, 2026

Money is not believed to be a major part of Flores’ decision to stay or go. Yes, Jerry Jones’ offer will blow him away financially but he will not be able to outbid the Wilfs, which makes his possible exit all the more clouded in mystery.

Minnesota Vikings top offseason questions are not the same

The Minnesota Vikings’ two pressing questions entering the offseason are much different than one another. If KOC ultimately decides the kid QB isn’t ready, the Vikings have a plethora of competent options to choose from this offseason.

QBs rumored to be available this offseason — a list that could include Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Malik Willis… even Burrow, Jackson and Stafford (possibly). All of those quarterbacks would play exponentially better than McCarthy did for most of last season.

Related: Former Viking Calls Out JJ McCarthy’s Immaturity; Doubts His Readiness

If Brian Flores leaves, though, he CANNOT be replaced. His scheme is one of one and not something that can easily be duplicated, especially when his on-field coach Harrison Smith would undoubtedly retire, if B-Flo leaves.

Losing him to a lateral move, where he is essentially picking another team over the Vikings, would only pour salt into the wound of his absence.