Brian Flores, Matt Daniels Voted Top Coordinators in NFL by Players Association

You probably have your own opinion about the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff, good or bad. But when it comes to the NFL’s Players Association, they have their own viewpoints too.

Brian Flores. Good coordinator. We knew this. There’s a reason why he’s been mentioned as a likely future head coach candidate again, even if it may not occur this offseason.

Just look at how Flores has turned around a defense that ranked 30th in the NFL in scoring a year ago into one that ranks 12th now, largely with the same cast of players. In fact, we’d be remiss to point out that the Vikings already moved on from two All-Pro defenders in Patrick Peterson and Eric Kendricks. But that’s beside the point.

Vikings fans are not unfamiliar with the greatness of Flores. Many other fanbases have witnessed the impact Flores has had on the defense too. But it’s not just the fans obviously, players are a big advocate for the former Miami Dolphins head coach too.

NFLPA votes Brian Flores as top-5 defensive coordinator in NFL

On Thursday, the NFL Players Association revealed new data from a survey in which all players were allowed to cast a vote for the best offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinator today. You can probably already guess Flores made the list.

After over 750 defensive players casted votes, the survey says Flores ranks as the fourth best defensive coordinator in the NFL in 2024.

Players were asked to rate their offensive, defensive & special teams coordinators this fall. We're publishing the top 5 to show the positive impact coaches can have & ensure players' voices are heard ahead of the hiring cycle.

🔗: https://t.co/NKtb2Tqtem pic.twitter.com/UpEXkGkdmB

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 4, 2024

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Brian Flores isn’t the only top-ranked coordinator on Vikings’ staff

The improvement on defense has been impossible to ignore. Flores deserves a lot of credit for his work. But there’s another coordinator on the Vikings’ staff who graded well in the NFLPA coaching survey. Matt Daniels, who is in his second season with the team, was ranked third in the player survey, among NFL special teams coordinators.

Notably, Daniels learned part of his craft from the top-ranked special teams coordinator on the list, John Fassel of the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels, a former safety out of Duke, also has spent a lot of time working with defensive backs.

In addition to his exemplary work as a special teams coordinator, some believe Daniels could also have a future as a defensive coordinator too. Others have said, “That guy is going to be a superstar in this league.“

So far, Daniels is off to a great start, and who knows? Maybe someday the 34-year-old coordinator can trade in his position for a more prominent title, like head football coach.

Related: Will Harrison Smith Return to the Vikings Next Season?