By SuperWest Sports Staff
Sports
Final AP CFB Poll Appearances in Last 25 Years in West
Over the past 25 years, from 2001 to 2025, the top teams from the West have placed at least one team in the final AP Top 25 football poll.
In 2025, the region ranked four teams: Oregon, BYU, Utah, and USC.
The tables below show the teams by year, including their rankings and records.
You’ll also find a breakdown of Final AP Poll appearances by program at the bottom of the page. Oregon leads the way with 17, followed by USC with 16, and Boise State with 14.
2025
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Oregon | 13-2 |
| 11 | BYU | 12-2 |
| 14 | Utah | 11-2 |
| 20 | USC | 9-4 |
2024
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Oregon | 13-1 |
| 7 | Arizona State | 11-3 |
| 8 | Boise State | 12-2 |
| 13 | BYU | 11-2 |
| 23 | UNLV | 11-3 |
| 25 | Colorado | 9-4 |
2023
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Washington | 14-1 |
| 6 | Oregon | 12-2 |
| 11 | Arizona | 10-3 |
2022
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Washington | 11-2 |
| 10 | Utah | 10-4 |
| 12 | USC | 11-3 |
| 15 | Oregon | 10-3 |
| 17 | Oregon State | 10-3 |
| 21 | UCLA | 9-4 |
| 24 | Fresno State | 10-4 |
2021
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Utah | 10-4 |
| 19 | BYU | 10-3 |
| 22 | Oregon | 10-4 |
| 24 | Utah State | 11-3 |
| 25 | San Diego State | 12-2 |
2020
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | BYU | 11-1 |
| 21 | USC | 5-1 |
| 24 | San Jose State | 7-1 |
2019
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Oregon | 12-2 |
| 16 | Utah | 11-3 |
| 22 | Air Force | 11-2 |
| 23 | Boise State | 12-2 |
2018
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | WSU | 11-2 |
| 13 | Washington | 10-4 |
| 18 | Fresno State | 12-2 |
| 22 | Utah State | 11-2 |
| 23 | Boise State | 10-3 |
2017
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | USC | 11-3 |
| 16 | Washington | 10-3 |
| 20 | Stanford | 9-5 |
| 22 | Boise State | 11-3 |
2016
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | USC | 10-3 |
| 4 | Washington | 12-2 |
| 12 | Stanford | 10-3 |
| 17 | Colorado | 10-4 |
| 23 | Utah | 9-4 |
| 25 | San Diego State | 11-3 |
2015
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Stanford | 12-2 |
| 17 | Utah | 10-3 |
| 19 | Oregon | 9-4 |
2014
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Oregon | 13-2 |
| 10 | UCLA | 10-3 |
| 12 | ASU | 10-3 |
| 16 | Boise State | 12-2 |
| 19 | Arizona | 10-4 |
| 20 | USC | 9-4 |
| 21 | Utah | 9-4 |
2013
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Oregon | 11-2 |
| 11 | Stanford | 11-3 |
| 16 | UCLA | 10-3 |
| 19 | USC | 10-4 |
| 21 | ASU | 10-4 |
| 25 | Washington | 9-4 |
2012
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Oregon | 12-1 |
| 7 | Stanford | 12-2 |
| 16 | Utah State | 11-2 |
| 18 | Boise State | 11-2 |
| 20 | OSU | 9-4 |
| 21 | San Jose State | 11-2 |
2011
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Oregon | 12-2 |
| 6 | USC | 10-2 |
| 7 | Stanford | 11-2 |
| 8 | Boise State | 12-1 |
2010
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Oregon | 12-1 |
| 4 | Stanford | 12-1 |
| 9 | Boise State | 12-1 |
| 11 | Nevada | 13-1 |
2009
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Boise State | 14-0 |
| 11 | Oregon | 10-3 |
| 12 | BYU | 11-2 |
| 18 | Utah | 10-3 |
| 22 | USC | 9-4 |
2008
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Utah | 13-0 |
| 3 | USC | 12-1 |
| 10 | Oregon | 10-3 |
| 11 | Boise State | 12-1 |
| 18 | OSU | 9-4 |
| 25 | BYU | 10-3 |
2007
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | USC | 11-2 |
| 14 | BYU | 11-2 |
| 16 | ASU | 10-3 |
| 19 | Hawi’i | 12-1 |
| 23 | Oregon | 9-4 |
| 25 | OSU | 9-4 |
2006
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | USC | 11-2 |
| 5 | Boise State | 13-0 |
| 14 | Cal | 10-3 |
| 16 | BYU | 11-2 |
| 21 | OSU | 10-4 |
2005
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | USC | 12-1 |
| 12 | Oregon | 10-2 |
| 16 | UCLA | 10-2 |
| 25 | Cal | 8-4 |
2004
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USC | 13-0 |
| 4 | Utah | 12-0 |
| 9 | Cal | 10-2 |
| 12 | Boise State | 11-1 |
| 19 | ASU | 9-3 |
| 22 | Fresno State | 9-3 |
2003
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USC | 12-1 |
| 9 | WSU | 10-3 |
| 16 | Boise State | 13-1 |
| 21 | Utah | 10-2 |
2002
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | USC | 11-2 |
| 10 | WSU | 10-3 |
| 15 | Boise State | 12-1 |
| 20 | Colorado | 9-5 |
2001
| Rank | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Oregon | 11-1 |
| 9 | Colorado | 10-3 |
| 10 | WSU | 10-2 |
| 16 | Stanford | 9-3 |
| 19 | Washington | 8-4 |
Breakdown by Program since 1998
| Program | Count |
|---|---|
| Oregon | 17 |
| USC | 16 |
| Boise State | 14 |
| Utah | 11 |
| BYU | 9 |
| Stanford | 8 |
| Washington | 7 |
| ASU | 5 |
| OSU | 5 |
| UCLA | 4 |
| WSU | 4 |
| Colorado | 4 |
| Cal | 3 |
| Fresno State | 3 |
| Utah State | 3 |
| Arizona | 2 |
| San Diego State | 2 |
| San Jose State | 2 |
| Air Force | 1 |
| Hawai’i | 1 |
| Nevada | 1 |
| UNLV | 1 |
Continue Reading
Miach Parsons was named to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. Although the superstar defensive end was in San Francisco to attend the Pro Bowl festivities on Tuesday, he was on an electric scooter while moving around Moscone Center due to his knee injury. In one of the videos from the festivities that went viral on social media, Parsons was spotted filming the female cheerleaders doing a routine for the crowd.
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When fans caught wind of the video clip in which Parsons was filming the cheerleaders while on an electric scooter, they slammed the Packers star.
•
“Creep behavior,” one tweeted.
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“Nfl star or creep in training,” another added.
“He not slick,” a third commented.
Here are a few more reactions.
“NAH THIS IS MESSED TF UP,” one wrote.
“Kinda hate that this streamer a*s dude is a packer now. Like bruh… get us to the nfc championship mr highest paid ever,” another added.
“Tell that lame a*s podcaster to show up in the playoffs. Don’t nobody care bout Micah,” a user tweeted.
Micah Parsons finished the 2025 season with 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 6.5 stuffs, two forced fumbles and one pass defended. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos.
Although Parsons helped the Packers qualify for the playoffs, his team was eliminated in the wildcard round with a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Micah Parsons explains how his relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason
Micah Parsons’ relationship with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason, which led to the team trading the DE to the Packers in August. On Tuesday, Parsons opened up his acrimonious split with the Cowboys.
“I just wish some of those things never happened. You know what I mean?,” Parsons told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS Cowboys. “I wish that he never brought me into the office and just let the agent speak. And I wish he hadn’t compromised our relationship. I thought me and Jerry had a good relationship up to that point until this offseason, and it’s sad that it went to sh*t like that.”
Parsons played four years with the Cowboys, earning a Pro Bowl selection in each season. He signed a 4-year, $188 million extension with the Packers after the Cowboys traded him last year.
Edited by Arnold
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Team USA’s Olympics base camp is making headlines since it had to change its name from Ice House to Winter House. But first, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the country is planning a social media ban for under-16s. Next, Russian athletes could soon be back competing under their national flag. Meanwhile, the 2030 Olympic Games in France are off to a slow start. Finally, scientists study what love might look like in space.
Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79. Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, but is perhaps best known for presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.
READ MORE: Snooker legend Virgo dies aged 79
If this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is even half as good as the last time these two franchises met on this stage, it will be a wild ride. Eleven years after a Super Bowl XLIX thriller, the teams meet again with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks, similar to their previous Super Bowl trips, have been powered by one of the NFL’s best defenses. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league this season and finished first in yards per pass attempt allowed and yards per rush attempt allowed. The defense flexed its muscle in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, allowing a paltry 3.9 yards per play — San Francisco’s worst mark all season.
But it was the offense that stepped up most in the NFC Championship Game. Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams, with 153 yards and a touchdown going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kenneth Walker III had 111 yards from scrimmage and a score, and Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo also found the end zone.
Though the offense was hit-or-miss down the stretch of the regular season, it seems to have found its footing in the playoffs and, crucially, has zero turnovers. Overall, Seattle has a plus-four turnover differential this postseason.
Speaking of turnovers, no one has forced more than New England this postseason, and it’s not particularly close. The Patriots’ defense has absolutely wreaked havoc, first against the Los Angeles Chargers, then the Houston Texans and finally, in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos. The Patriots’ 8.7 points per game allowed is the fewest by any team through three playoff games since the vaunted 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense.
The Patriots offense, which powered much of the team’s regular-season success, hasn’t fared as well. New England’s 18.0 postseason points per game is the fewest entering a Super Bowl appearance since the 1979 Rams. Still, Drake Maye has made several big plays — both with his arm and his legs — and New England’s firepower will certainly be a major test for Seattle’s defense.
Here’s how to watch the game, followed by keys to the contest and a prediction.
Super Bowl LX: Where to watch Seahawks vs. Patriots
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- Halftime performer: Bad Bunny
- TV: NBC, streaming on Peacock
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Betting odds: Seahawks -4.5 | O/U 45.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl big questions
Can the Patriots force Sam Darnold into mistakes?
For as good as Darnold has been this season — and especially this postseason — he does have a penchant for turnovers. In fact, his 20 turnovers this season were most in the NFL, and his 14 interceptions were third-most. Eight of those 14 turnovers happened when he was pressured, tied with Geno Smith for most in the NFL.
Now (mostly) healthy, the Patriots’ pass rush has been dominant this postseason with an NFL-best 52% pressure rate. For comparison’s sake, the highest pressure rate during the regular season was 45% (by the Minnesota Vikings).
The Seahawks have done a good job keeping Darnold clean for the most part, and play-caller Klint Kubiak does a good job of getting him out of the pocket via play-action and giving him easy answers.
But Milton Williams, who had a big impact in last year’s Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles, K’Lavon Chaisson and other members of the New England front seven will hope to make an impact so talented cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis have a chance to make Darnold pay for a poor decision.
Can the Patriots’ offensive line hold up?
The path for the underdogs to come out on top starts with getting to Darnold. The next step is protecting their own quarterback. Maye has taken five sacks in all three of his playoff games so far, and while that’s come against three of the NFL’s best defenses, it’s not as if the Seahawks’ unit is any easier.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald dials up a variety of different schemes and pressure looks, and he has both a disruptive duo inside (Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II) and a plethora of edge rushers to generate pressure.
When the Seahawks do get pressure, Maye has to be careful with the ball: He has six fumbles (three lost) this postseason, both most of any player.
Can Maye hit the deep ball?
The Seahawks’ excellent cornerbacks play very aggressively, and it almost always works. The results speak for themselves.
But if the offensive line holds up, Maye might have the opportunity for a deep ball or two, and he’s been as good as anyone in those scenarios: His 35 completions at least 20 yards downfield this regular season were second-most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford.
Super Bowl LX pick, prediction
Expect some nerves early, especially from the quarterbacks, but as both settle in, this should be a great, close battle between an ascending star and an unlikely one.
Maye is looking to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Darnold is looking to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after playing for at least five different teams.
Ultimately, the Seahawks’ defense gets a few timely stops, and Seattle leaves with its second championship.
Pick: Seahawks 24, Patriots 20
Nigeria have intensified preparations for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Uzbekistan by moving their training base to the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, the venue for the February 7 to 8 encounter.
The move from the National Stadium, Surulere, is part of final match readiness as the players familiarise themselves with the courts and surroundings ahead of the two day contest.
Uzbekistan, which arrived in Lagos on sunday have also settled in and held their first training session on Monday. The visitors travelled with three players and four officials, with their leading player, Khumoyun Sultanov, joining the squad after his recent title win at the ITF M15 tournament in Kuwait.
Sultanov, 27, reached the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers in 2025 and achieved a career high ATP ranking of 216 in January. He is joined by Ilya Ignatov, Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, and 17 year old Sukrob Saidov.
Nigeria will be led by national number one Daniel Adeleye, alongside Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel, all selected based on national rankings. Uche Oparaoji returns to the squad, while Abubakar Yusuf is set to make his Davis Cup debut after representing Nigeria at the Africa Games in Ghana.
Despite Nigeria being ranked 74 in the world and Uzbekistan 49, confidence remains within the Nigerian camp. According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, hosting the tie reflects the country’s progress in international tennis.
Federation president Victor Ochei said the opportunity to host was a result of recent performances.
“Nigeria has been consistent at this level and that consistency has earned us trust,” Ochei said. “Hosting this tie shows that we can compete and also deliver at international standard.”
He confirmed that the National Sports Commission is supporting the federation in funding and event delivery.
A 15 member Central Planning Committee, chaired by Victor Hembah, has been set up to oversee preparations in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation, the National Sports Commission, Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the host club.
President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, said the venue is ready for the tie.
“The courts and facilities are prepared, and we are ready to host,” Adewusi said. “This is an important event for Nigerian tennis.”
The match will take place on the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club this weekend.
Enyimba FC players are in the second day of their strike on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, over unpaid match bonuses. SportsRation reports.
According to SportsRation sources in Aba, the players trained themselves at a primary school field this morning without any coach present. The club’s technical team had waited at the Enyimba International Stadium, only to discover that the squad had moved to the school field.
The players say they will not return to proper training until the club settles the match bonuses owed to them. This action comes amid growing tension between the Kanu Nwankwo-led management and the Abia State Government.
The strike threatens to affect the club’s recent revival on the field. Enyimba had picked up four points in their last two matches after a difficult month.
Enyimba currently sit 11th on the league table with 31 points from 24 matches, while Bayelsa United occupy 14th place with 28 points.
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While most football fans are excited to see the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks match up in Super Bowl LX, there is one fan base that could be staring at this game as the worst matchup possible.
The New York Jets haven’t seen the playoffs in 15 years, the worst mark of any professional sports team in the U.S. And fans certainly weren’t happy to see a 3-14 finish in the first season under head coach Aaron Glenn.
But to make matters worse, the Patriots, their AFC East rival who were with them with back-to-back four-win seasons, turned around quickly with Mike Vrabel at the helm and Drake Maye turning into an MVP candidate in just his second season.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams. (Getty Images)
The Jets and their fan base spent years being tormented by Tom Brady and the Patriots, and to have New England back in the “Big Game” this quickly isn’t ideal.
Then, on the other sideline in Santa Clara will be the Seahawks, the No. 1 seed in the NFC this year led by quarterback Sam Darnold — the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold is the first quarterback from that draft, which included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield, to reach the Super Bowl. Jets fans pictured Darnold wearing the green and white, beating the Patriots on his way to the Super Bowl.
EX-NFL QUARTERBACK RYAN FITZPATRICK GIVES SAM DARNOLD EDGE OVER DRAKE MAYE FOR SUPER BOWL LX
Things never turned out that way for Gang Green, but one former Jets quarterback believes there’s only one way for fans to root for something in this Super Bowl.
“I think there’s probably a lot of people that are still rooting for Sam,” Ryan Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, while discussing his trip to Aruba with his wife, Liza, after partnering with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
“Sam would be the first to say he didn’t play well enough, but it’s very hard when there’s not an infrastructure and people around you to be successful as a quarterback in this league. I think Jets fans should be happy and proud to see Sam come out on the other side, because it’s not easy.”
Sam Darnold of the New York Jets looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Darnold’s time in New York lasted only three seasons despite his draft selection, culminating in up-and-down weeks and unfortunate memes, including his most infamous against the Patriots where he said he was seeing “ghosts” on the field.
After stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold was able to rekindle his career in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season last year. That allowed him the chance to pick where he wanted to go in free agency this past offseason, and he chose the Seahawks after they traded away Geno Smith.
Darnold clearly made the right move.
If Fitzpatrick were still a Jets fan — he actively roots for the Buffalo Bills, the team he played for before joining New York — it would be easy to root for Darnold’s success.
But even though Fitzpatrick himself was beaten by the Patriots for years during his career, he does find himself reluctantly rooting for them on Sunday.
“The hard thing for me in this one, I mean I’ve hated the Patriots forever. Even though I was in Boston, I was at Harvard, they had a good, little run while I was there. I was still never a Patriots fan, and then it’s like I spent eight years of my career in the AFC East just getting beat up by them every single year,” he explained. “The fact that they’re good again and find themselves back in the Super Bowl after Tom leaving and Bill leaving, and now having Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick on set during the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“It’s a hard realization, but I love Mike Vrabel so much. I was with him in Houston, I get to play golf with him at the American Century in [Lake] Tahoe every summer. He’s a great dude. I love his family, I love his kids, I love him. So, actually, I feel like I’m rooting for New England in this game, which pains me to say.”
ONE HAPPY ISLAND, ONE HAPPY FITZ
After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, visited Aruba for some well-earned relaxation to reset and recharge before the Super Bowl.
He partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which showcases the island’s commitment to responsible tourism, which includes protecting the island’s natural environment, celebrating local culture and inviting guests to travel mindfully through the Aruba Promise and Guest Guidelines.
Fitzpatrick did that and loved every minute of it, as he experienced the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their time in Aruba after the 2025 NFL season. (Aruba Tourism Authority)
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“My wife and I — seven kids. So, we very rarely get away. So, when we get away, we gotta make sure it’s the right spot, and this one hit. It has the white-sand beaches, it has the resort, which is great. But it also has the adventure. I’m not a guy that likes to just sit on the beach and get the tan all day long. There was hiking, we were swimming in a natural pool, we went and searched some caves a little bit.
“The great thing for my wife and I, right away you feel relaxed. Then, we come home and there is this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we’re feeling. It stayed with us.”
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The timing of Everton’s decision comes as a surprise, just hours after the transfer deadline closed and they added Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar to their ranks.
Sorensen has been involved in recruitment and many of their additions over the past two windows have suited his requests.
But the feeling a change of direction was needed has been lingering at Everton for several months.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by their performances with Sorensen seemingly still unsure on his best XI and often using players out of position.
His experimental style has been effective before and he should be praised for his management last season when Everton’s injury crisis left a thin squad amid a time when the club were awaiting the completion of the Friedkin Group takeover.
However, expectations grew this year when investment came, signings were made and the squad had enough quality to be challenging further up the table.
They have been dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle and Everton have acted now in the hope that they can do enough to stabilise their position before rebuilding in the summer.
Sorensen’s overall time at Everton has shown his capabilities as a coach but the inability to field a consistent team has harmed his progression.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the postseason unfolded on Jan. 13, 2025. The moment captured Flores overseeing Minnesota’s defensive adjustments amid playoff pressure, with communication and situational control at a premium throughout the game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Brian Flores will return to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 as the defensive coordinator, and while he cooks that meal on defense, he might just get to buy the groceries. With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out as general manager, Flores is expected to have a significant personnel impact in free agency and the draft.
If Minnesota leans defense early, Flores’ fingerprints could be all over the March plan and April board.
Minnesota signed Flores to a monster extension and will have to earn it by obtaining the right players.
Brian Flores Could Wield Rare Roster Influence in 2026
Rejoice: Flores is back — with more power.
The Kwesi Disharmony
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on Adofo-Mensah last weekend, “Adofo-Mensah’s background led some around the NFL to view him with skepticism, and he acknowledged several times during his tenure that he was learning on the job, in everything from player evaluation to leading his front-office staff.”
“Rob Brzezinski stepped in to assist in some trade negotiations, while coach Kevin O’Connell served as an emissary during tense discussions such as Danielle Hunter’s 2023 hold-in. Sources spoke of frustration from the team’s scouting staff and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who let his contract expire before signing a new deal Jan. 21.”
Folks had wondered for months why the Vikings hadn’t signed Flores to an extension. It now appears that he wasn’t necessarily fond of Adofo-Mensah.
Goessling added, “The Vikings’ lack of draft success seemed to be a constant stressor, leaving the roster without the depth it needed to weather injuries and forcing Brzezinski to cover draft mistakes with cleverly structured contracts that were lucrative enough to woo players to Minnesota without putting the Vikings back in cap purgatory.”
Adofo-Mensah did not draft well, the Vikings must hit on rookies as soon as this April, the team will not hire a new general manager until after the draft, and Flores might be the last man standing to make the call when Minnesota is on the clock.
Think about it: Who else would it be?
Flores a De Facto Defensive GM?
Without the buck-stops-here guy — Adofo-Mensah from 2022 to 2025 with his general manager title — drafting defensive players or finding them in free agency is now up to Brzezinski, O’Connell, and Flores. Well, take one wild guess who’s the best defensive mind of the trio. It is, of course, Flores.
Brzezinski does not have an advanced personnel background, at least compared to his capologist magic. O’Connell will presumably run the show on offense, and that leaves Flores for defense.
It’s actually a coach’s dream — the ability to pick his players for his scheme. While other coordinators might have input, Flores may now has the keys to the city. No wonder he returned to Minnesota.
Follow the Money
How is this theory plausible? It’s the money. Minnesota will pay $6 million per year, a record-shattering sum and one deserved for a coach who habitually fosters Top 3 defenses. Why would a coordinator get so much? Foremost, there’s the production. He immediately transformed Minnesota’s defense into a contender from the jump when hired in 2023.
Then, it just makes sense that the guy who’s pulling down the supreme coordinator contract would take on quasi-general manager responsibilities. He probably loves it, but think about it: if the franchise needs Flores to determine the right players from free agency and the draft, shouldn’t he be paid extra handsomely for his services? That’s how the world works.
Flores’ new giant contract reflects that of a man who is about to lead a Top 5 defense and choose the right players from free agency and the draft.
NBC Sports‘ Mile Florio noted on Flores’s salary: “Because coaching pay lacks the transparency of player pay, it’s impossible to know with certainty how much anyone makes. It was reported that Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly received $6 million per year. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio makes $4.5 million annually.”
“With Kelly now fired, those numbers would make Flores the highest-paid coordinator in the league. Minnesota’s willingness to spend that much on Flores may help explain the reluctance of the Cowboys to enter the bidding. Yes, we’d be surprised by the amount of the check that owner Jerry Jones would write to guarantee a Super Bowl win. We’d be surprised, because it’s so small.”
Translation to … Who in the Draft?
Let’s pretend that Flores gets his way, and the Vikings spend their 1st-Round pick — No. 18 — on a defensive player. Flores will have options. These players might blend the best player available at No. 18 and the club’s long-term roster need:
- CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
- Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
- Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
- Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
- Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
- Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
- Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
- Aveion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
Cornerbacks, especially, will be plentiful at Minnesota’s spot, and the franchise hasn’t successfully drafted one in 11 years.
Perhaps GM Flores will snap the naughty streak.
Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2024 season with a record of 14-3 and a playoff spot. They finished the 2025 season 9-8 and on the outside looking in at the playoffs. They have spent some time since being eliminated looking inward to divine what went wrong. And late last week they decided that at least part of the blame goes to general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah—despite receiving a new contract before the season began.
Kwesi was relieved of his duties on January 30. And while the disappointing 2025 campaign was not all his fault, by any stretch of this imagination, plenty of blame can be laid at his feet. Since becoming the GM in 2022, Kwesi has produced uneven drafts at best and woefully unproductive ones annually. He made risky trades with division rivals, left holes in the roster that required plenty of free agents to fill, depleted the team’s depth with spotty drafting while producing the oldest roster last season and spending near the most money over the salary cap coming into the next one.
When you throw in some rumored/reported in-fighting with other members of the Vikings staff, it sounds like the timing of the firing (which many pundits were confused by) comes later than it perhaps should have. In fact, at least one of
the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast, Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) put Kwesi on the hot seat shortly after the team was eliminated from post season play. So, now without a new GM yet named, the Vikings begin again. Tune in to check out our discussion of it all. Skol!
Listen to Vikings Territory Breakdown here or on your favorite podcast network.
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