If Flores departs, a potential replacement highlighted by Alec Lewis is Raheem Morris, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach. Morris would be “in play” given his Rams connection with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell in 2021 and the Falcons’ defensive improvement this season under Jeff Ulbrich. Still, there’s debate about how much of the gain came from Morris’s influence versus Ulbrich’s schematic adjustments. 🧭🏟️
Internally, Daronte Jones appears to be the leading candidate to replace Flores if he leaves. Jones has served as the Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Flores and has also pursued DC roles with several teams. He’s interviewed for DC openings with the Bears, Jaguars, and Saints, and has drawn interest from Dallas and New York as well. The Vikings would face added uncertainty if both Flores and Jones depart. 🔁👥
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has publicly supported keeping Flores as defensive coordinator for the 2026 season while encouraging Flores’s pursuit of head-coaching opportunities. He stressed how highly he regards Flores and indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if Flores explored multiple head-coach chances. The stance shows a strong commitment to Flores coupled with openness to what Flores wants to pursue. 🙌💼
Bottom line: the Vikings must be ready for a range of outcomes this offseason as Flores weighs his future, including the possibility he leaves for a head-coaching or another DC job. With Jones also in play for external roles, Minnesota’s defensive staff could face a shakeup, but the organization remains aggressive and proactive in managing these transitions. 🧩🔄
