Just over a year after he was fired by the Miami Dolphins after being their head coach for three seasons, Brian Flores will be headed to the Minnesota Vikings to become their new defensive coordinator.
Dolphins safety Jevon Holland seems happy for his old coach.
FLO!
The #Vikings have named Brian Flores defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/6EHf7FUzzX
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 6, 2023
Yessir Flo!
— jev (@quickdrawjev) February 7, 2023
It’s no secret the Dolphins have been struggling for a long time, as they have made the NFL playoffs only three times in the last 20 years, but under Flores, they started to show some improvement.
In 2019, his first season at the helm in Miami, the team finished at or near the bottom of the league in a number of key defensive categories. However, the very next season it was sixth in points allowed, second in passing touchdowns allowed and first in forced turnovers while winning 10 games.
Under Flores’ leadership, cornerback Xavien Howard broke out, leading the NFL in passes defended and interceptions in 2020 while making his second Pro Bowl and getting named to the All-Pro first-team for the first time.
In Minnesota, Flores will be tasked with improving a defense that looked very lackluster at times.
The Vikings are undoubtedly potent on offense. They boast arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Dalvin Cook, both of whom were named to this season’s Pro Bowl.
But their inability to stop teams on the other side of the football resulted in a 31-24 loss to the New York Giants in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
An improved defense would make the Vikings a very feared team, as they finished 13-4 this season, tying them with the San Francisco 49ers for the second-best mark in the NFC.
