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Brian Flores’ Offseason Saga Has Its Answer

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Brian Flores watches the Vikings defense during a game at Soldier Field.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline as Minnesota faces Chicago at Soldier Field, Oct 15, 2023, in Illinois. The snapshot captures Flores evaluating in-game adjustments during a divisional road matchup, with defensive communication and coverage tweaks unfolding as the Bears tested Minnesota’s scheme through the second half under steady pressure and shifting personnel packages. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been one of the biggest storylines of Minnesota’s offseason. He was chasing head-coaching openings and there were plenty of those. Furthermore, Minnesota’s defensive architect interviewed for another defensive coordinator position, which he was allowed to do because his contract had briefly expired.

First, the Vikings handled the contract issue, reportedly offering him a Godfather deal. He agreed and signed the contract to return as the defensive coordinator in the Twin Cities with one caveat: If offered a promotion elsewhere, he would still depart.

Ultimately, he didn’t get any of those HC jobs. At this point, all 32 jobs are filled. On Sunday, reports surfaced suggesting that the Arizona Cardinals would hire Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, brother of Green Bay’s skipper. Rams head coach Sean McVay loses another staff member.

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The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, are expected to work out a deal with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. That contract cannot be finalized until after the Super Bowl. Kubiak worked for the Vikings between 2019 and 2021, first as the QB coach and in his final season as the offensive coordinator. He was not retained when the Vikings swapped Mike Zimmer for Kevin O’Connell. In Las Vegas, Kubiak is expected to get his hands on the potential first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.

About a month ago, Flores was rumored to be on Tom Brady’s shortlist of head coaching candidates, but that never got beyond the rumor stage. There’s no reported interview. In fact, Flores only interviewed for two HC vacancies, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2025
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.

His return is good news for the Vikings. The numbers support that case; he was the driving force behind the 9–8 record, often masking the flaws of an abysmal offense.

In the three years under Flores, Minnesota has allowed just 19.2 points per game, ranking second in the NFL. The advanced numbers support his brilliance, as his group ranks near the top of the league in EPA/play and DVOA. This hasn’t just been a good defense. It’s been one of the league’s elite units for two consecutive seasons.

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Beyond the numbers, Flores has changed the personality of the defense. Minnesota plays faster and more aggressively than it did before his arrival, leaning into disguised coverages, creative blitz packages, and constant pressure looks that force quarterbacks into mistakes. The unit rarely sits back. Instead, it dictates terms — something the Vikings had been missing for years. That identity has become one of the clearest strengths of the team.

Flores took over in 2023 after three straight seasons of underwhelming defensive performance. At first, the transition took time, as the personnel didn’t perfectly fit his system and the scheme required a steep learning curve.

In the 2024 offseason, the Vikings acquired Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman to strengthen the front, and it worked wonders. En route to a 14-3 record, his defense gave most quarterbacks fits in his second season with the Vikings.

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Last year, with an additional focus on interior pass rush, his defense allowed only a single passing touchdown in the final eight games of the campaign.

With his return, there’s real hope that a few offensive improvements could turn the Vikings into a January contender behind a championship-caliber defense.

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The roster should largely remain intact, aside from Harrison Smith’s expected retirement and the potential free-agent departure of linebacker Eric Wilson. On the other hand, the Vikings could acquire some reinforcements in free agency and the draft.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFFOver The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

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Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

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Naoya Inoue called out by new US world champion: “I’ll be first to beat him”

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Naoya Inoue remains as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound superstars and the Japanese phenomenon may finally move up to featherweight this year. There, each of the 126lb champions are hoping to be selected as his opponent, but none more so than a newly crowned titleholder from the United States.

Inoue has ruled at light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight over the course of his 32-fight career, becoming undisputed at both 118lbs and 122lbs as one of just three multi-divisional undisputed champions in the four-belt era.

However, despite a legacy-defining showdown with Junto Nakatani on the horizon, many fans in the United States are keen to see Inoue fight on American soil and to do so in the featherweight division.

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Now, after registering a knockout of the year contender in a world title win in his hometown, WBC featherweight world champion Bruce Carrington informed Sean Zittel that he would accept a fight with ‘The Monster’ over possible title unifications.

“It [the fight with Inoue] is very realistic now and I am super excited for what is to come. These next two years are going to be really special, we are going to be making a lot of noise and I think that it is right there, it is on the cusp of happening.

“Everything is really falling into place for me, man. I really want to be the first guy to do it, to beat Inoue, and then we are going to be on that road, superstardom level.

“[I would rather] a fight with him [than unifications], because with the unifications, I feel like I could still do that regardless, after [fighting Inoue]. I think that the fight with him is something that I want more, because it would just put me on that level.

“Me beating him would put me on a certain level, over the unification fights, honestly.”

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Carrington then went on to explain why he believes that the interest in that bout should not be one-sided, declaring that Inoue should be seeking events across the pond in order to improve on his star power.

“He should have some interest in fighting in America as well, that will make him into an even bigger fighter if he becomes more successful with more fights here and builds his name.”

Should Inoue wish to debut at featherweight in the U.S. then Carrington sticks out as the obvious candidate and with his New York roots, a clash at Madison Square Garden makes sense for both men, providing Inoue comes through his meeting with Nakatani unscathed.

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Deontay Wilder storms out of interview over Tyson Fury questions: ‘I’m not gonna talk about him!’

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Deontay Wilder stormed out of an interview on Wednesday after taking issue with a line of questioning about Tyson Fury, one of his biggest rivals, ahead of a press conference with upcoming opponent Derek Chisora.

On 4 April, Wilder will box Chisora in a heavyweight main event at London’s O2 Arena, in what is expected to be Chisora’s final fight as a professional.

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At 42, Britain’s Chisora is a seasoned veteran, while former world champion Wilder is similarly experienced at 40. But while Chisora has been enjoying a resurgence recently, winning his last three bouts, Wilder is in must-win territory after going 2-4 in his last six contests.

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The American, seen as arguably the most-devastating puncher of his generation, was on a frightening run of unanswered victories until 2018, when he secured a controversial draw with Fury. In 2020, Fury stopped Wilder to take the WBC title from the “Bronze Bomber”, before replicating that result in a third clash in 2021. Since then, Wilder has stopped Robert Helenius and Tyrrell Anthony Herndon but lost to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

But his past with Fury cropped up again this week, when Wilder accused the Briton of having cheated during their rivalry. This was put to Wilder before Wednesday’s press conference with Chisora, as the American was questioned by TalkSport host Simon Jordan.

“I don’t want to talk about him,” Wilder told Jordan, who replied. “No, you’re going to.”

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“We’re here about Derek Chisora,” Wilder pushed back. “We’re not gonna talk about him [Fury] at all. I’m not gonna talk about him at all. Understand that.”

“No, fair enough,” Jordan said, in a bid to cool an intensifying atmosphere, with Wilder responding: “Alright then, so let’s move on. It’s all about Derek Chisora, that’s it. I’m back, baby! You all understand that? 4 April, it’s going down at the O2, you better be there or you’ll be a square.”

Deontay Wilder (right) takes on Britain's Derek Chisora on April 4th (Getty Images)

Deontay Wilder (right) takes on Britain’s Derek Chisora on April 4th (Getty Images)

“I understand that, I understand that,” said Jordan. “Fabulous. The only reason I mentioned it is because it’s part of the shtick that goes with you, and I missed you the first time around, when you came in here three years ago – when you were in your pomp four years ago, doing ‘Bomb Squad!’ and all that sort of stuff.

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“And I have always wanted to have a conversation with you, because you’ve made observations about Fury. I have my views on Fury, and you’ve called him a cheat.”

“The biggest in boxing!” Wilder exclaimed, before making accusations against Fury, who is due to emerge from his fifth retirement when he boxes Arslanbek Makhmudov on 11 April. Fury has always denied any accusations against him.

“But it leads me to a conclusion,” Jordan followed up. “I want to put something to you about you, and Fury just happens to be the hook for it. You talked about being cheated in that fight, you talked about water being spiked.”

“Facts,” said Wilder, before Jordan added: “You talked about your [ring walk] outfit being too heavy for you.”

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Deontay Wilder accused Tyson Fury of cheating during their trilogy fights between 2018-2021 (Getty Images)

Deontay Wilder accused Tyson Fury of cheating during their trilogy fights between 2018-2021 (Getty Images)

“I didn’t say that,” Wilder claimed. Jordan went on: “You talked about a long count [by the referee in the first fight with Fury].”

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After Wilder said “facts” once more, Jordan continued: “It sounds to me, given the character you are, that’s a little bit flaky. You lost those fights, and those fights were lost, and you saying someone like Fury cheated you in those fights is kind of disappointing to me.”

“Because I know the truth!” shouted Wilder. “I have the facts. Understand that […] Because when the documentary and everything starts to come out, I’m gonna show everything.” Earlier in the week, Wilder had similarly referenced a documentary he is apparently working on.

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“I’m not a Fury fan,” Jordan said, as Wilder stood up from his chair and walked towards the host, with security holding back the boxer.

“I don’t give a f*** about that!” Wilder shouted. “I don’t give a f*** about it! I said we didn’t want to bring him up in the first place. It ain’t got s*** to do with him!”

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Wilder’s last fight was his stoppage of Herndon in the seventh round in June, while Chisora’s was his decision win over Otto Wallin in February 2025.

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Chisora vs Wilder will mark each man’s 50th fight as a professional.

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3 mistakes Tony Khan must avoid on this week’s AEW Dynamite

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Tony Khan will present tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite from Las Vegas this week. The show will take place at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort, and fans have high expectations for it. AEW has announced a stacked lineup of stars for the show, including some big-time matches featuring top AEW names.

As of now, Tony Khan has announced four big showdowns for the event. Hangman Page will take on Mark Davis in a singles clash. Apart from that, Andrade and Kenny Omega will also square off in a big matchup. Moreover, MJF will take on Brody King in an AEW World Title Eliminator Match. Additionally, Jack Perry and Ricochet will also clash over the AEW National Title. There are several other top stars like Kris Statlander and Jon Moxley expected to appear on the show.

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In this article, let’s take a look at 3 mistakes Tony Khan must avoid on this week’s AEW Dynamite:

#3. A clear decision for the Andrade and Kenny Omega match

Andrade will face Kenny Omega tonight on AEW Dynamite. It is a much-anticipated showdown between the two stars following El Idolo’s attack on The Cleaner on Dynamite’s 6th Anniversary last year. However, both stars are brimming with momentum as of late in the Jacksonville-based promotion. Besides, Andrade and Omega are top contenders for the AEW World Championship.

Therefore, Tony Khan can create a solid storyline involving the two stars down the line. However, a defeat to any one of them could destroy their momentum. Hence, instead of giving this match a clear closure, there should be a screwed ending for this showdown. It would help Khan to keep this feud open without affecting anyone’s credibility and momentum in the company.

#2. No follow-up on Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford’s title quest

Last week, on AEW Dynamite, Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford came down the aisle to give a staredown to the AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander and the AEW World Women’s Tag Team Champions Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron. That moment alone shone a massive spotlight on Bayne and Ford, sparking interest from a lot of fans in their work down the line.

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However, if Tony Khan did not give any follow-up to that intense staredown, it would make last week’s segment meaningless. Instead, the AEW President should book Bayne and Ford in some sort of confrontation with The Babes of Wrath and Kris Statlander. Besides, fans have been clamoring to see Megan chase the AEW Women’s World Title. Therefore, it sets up a golden opportunity for AEW to build Megan Bayne to the top.

#1. Another loss to Jack Perry on AEW Dynamite

Jack Perry will challenge the champion Ricochet for the AEW National Championship tonight on AEW Dynamite. It is a rematch between the two stars after their last title match on 31 December 2025, AEW Dynamite. Perry made his return to AEW last year following a prolonged hiatus. However, he has not achieved anything big since then in the company.

He has already faced a defeat against Ricochet on Dynamite, and another loss could heavily impact his credibility. Therefore, Tony Khan should crown Perry a new National Champion tonight. The Lightskin Kingpin has already managed to have a decent run with the title. The Scapegoat has the potential to heavily elevate the prestige of the championship down the line.