Vikings hire Brian Flores as defensive coordinator

The Minnesota Vikings hired Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced Monday.

Flores spent the 2022 season as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was previously the Miami Dolphins' head coach from 2019-2021.

The 41-year-old generated interest from multiple teams this year, including the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Flores recently had a head coaching interview with the Cardinals and also spoke to the Broncos about their vacant defensive coordinator role.

Flores brings plenty of experience to a Vikings defense that ranked 28th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed in 2022. Minnesota parted ways with defensive coordinator Ed Donatell after just one season last month.

Flores spent the first 10 years of his coaching career in multiple roles for the New England Patriots and was part of four Super Bowl-winning seasons. He then joined the Dolphins as their head coach, posting a 24-25 record across three seasons.

Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL over alleged racial discrimination in hiring practices in February 2022 after the Dolphins fired him.

The Vikings posted a 13-4 mark this campaign but fell short at home against the New York Giants in the wild-card round.