Vikings reach contract extension with DC Brian Flores, who will stay in Minnesota if he doesn't land a head coaching job

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Brian Flores is very likely staying in Minnesota.

The Vikings signed Flores to a contract extension on Wednesday, the team announced. Terms of the deal are not yet known, but Flores will be back with the team as their defensive coordinator next season so long as he doesn't land a head coaching job elsewhere this cycle.

"Brian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets, and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field," head coach Kevin O'Connell said in a statement. "The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I've really valued the relationship we've built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success."

Flores is still a candidate for the head coaching job with both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both of those teams split from their longtime coaches — John Harbaugh in Baltimore and Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh — earlier this month. 

Even though Flores has reached a new deal with the Vikings, it's unclear how aggressively he or the other two teams will pursue a head job still this offseason. 

Flores has spent the last three seasons as the Vikings' defensive coordinator. The Vikings allowed a third-best 282.6 yards per game and seventh-best 19.6 points per game last season, though they went just 9-8 and missed the playoffs. 

Though he's found success in Minnesota, Flores is still undoubtedly a top candidate to land a head coaching job in the league again — whether that is this offseason or in the future. Flores spent 15 seasons as a defensive assistant with the New England Patriots under coach Bill Belichick before he was hired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three seasons before a tumultuous exit. He spent one season as an assistant with the Steelers before O'Connell hired him.

While Flores almost certainly won't be with the Vikings for the rest of his career, the team is making sure to lock him down as best they can for the time being.