GM spotted chatting up DC candidate at Senior Bowl

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was spotted chatting with defensive coordinator candidate Brian Flores at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Vikings finished the regular-season with an NFC North title and a 13-4 record. However, they were defeated by the New York Giants in the Wild Card Round after the defense was picked apart by quarterback Daniel Jones. Shortly afterwards, the team fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, and the search began for his replacement.

Did we get an idea of where the Vikings are leaning at the Senior Bowl?

With Senior Bowl practices taking place on Tuesday in Mobile, Ala., Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was spotted chatting with former Miami Dolphins head coach and defensive coordinator candidate Brian Flores.

Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo Mensah spotted talking with DC candidate Brian Flores at Senior Bowl

As you can see in the photo from Matt Anderson of the Vikings Wire, Flores is wearing a Steelers sweatshirt. Flores was hired as Pittsburgh’s senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach last season and is still a part of Mike Tomlin’s coaching staff as of this writing. So, Flores was at the Senior Bowl scouting talent for the Steelers.

Back on Jan. 26, Minnesota interviewed Flores for their vacant defensive coordinator position. But that’s not the only job Flores is currently a candidate for.

This offseason, Flores interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals for their head coaching job on Jan. 23. The Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts are the only teams without a head coach currently, as the Denver Broncos traded for Sean Payton, the Houston Texans hired DeMeco Ryans, and the Carolina Panthers signed Frank Reich. Flores does have a link in the organization in recent general manager hire Monti Ossenfort, as the two spent time together with the New England Patriots. It will remain to be seen if Flores will receive another interview with the Cardinals.

As for Minnesota, they have interviewed the likes of Seattle Seahawks associate head coach Sean Desai, Minnesota assistant head coach Mike Pettine, and New Orlean Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen for their vacancy. However, Nielsen is off the board, as he was hired to be the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

It may take some time until the Vikings make a decision regarding their next defensive coordinator. But, Flores’ name will be one to watch throughout the process.