Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores probably doesn’t look back fondly on his time with the Miami Dolphins.
He was surprisingly fired as Miami’s head coach after the 2021 NFL season, with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross hinting that organizational conflicts – later identified as tensions between Flores and general manager Chris Grier, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and others – led them to part ways with the coach. they were initially seen as a creator of culture.
Flores then filed a class action against the NFL, alleging racial discrimination in the league. The Dolphins reportedly offered to pay Flores $100,000 per loss in 2019, effectively asking him to end the season for a higher draft pick.
Oh, how times have changed for the better since Flores joined the Vikings in 2023. Minnesota has thrived on defense, especially during the team’s perfect start to this 2024 season. Through the first five games, the Vikes have caused 13 turnovers (2nd in the NFL), amassed 20 sacks (2nd) and are allowing just 4.4 third-down conversions per game (tied for 13th).
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Speaking about his history in Miami, the scouting service for Bleacher Report believes Flores could reunite with one of his favorite draft prospects in the upcoming NFL free agency cycle.
Money launderers report named safety Jevon Holland, one of the former Flores Dolphins players who offered public support since his firing, as a potential addition to the Vikings defense in 2025. Here’s the site’s take on the move:
Starting safeties Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum are impending free agents, meaning Minnesota will likely look for help in its defensive backfield this spring. The organization is also currently projected to have $76 million in cap space available during the free agency period, according to Over the hood
Holland will likely be one of the best players available at the position. He won’t turn 25 until March and has accumulated over 250 total tackles, 22 passes defended, five forced fumbles and five interceptions in his career through Week 4 of 2024.
Assuming Flores stays in the Twin Cities for a while longer as coordinator, this move seems like a no-brainer for the Vikings. Flores loved Holland’s versatility coming from Oregon, where he played both high security and nickeland it is clear that the respect between the coach and his former choice No. 36 is mutual:
Flo was part of the reason I was recruited, fulfilling my life’s dream. I have nothing but love for him! https://t.co/AXSar8oez3
–Jev (@quickdrawjev) February 7, 2023
The Vikings will have other needs to address in 2025, such as interior offensive and defensive line and cornerback. But bringing in a player that Flores once chose for his head coaching project makes perfect sense as one of the best defenses in the NFL continues to thrive in Minnesota.
