More than 20 Vikings players are about two months away from hitting the open market.

In other words, free agency could wind up leaving a dent in the roster that very much functioned as greatly as it did in 2024 because of free agents acquired last March. But, free agency isn't the only beast.

Naturally, success sparks interest from other teams – interest, specifically, in coaches calling the shots.

Eyes turn toward esteemed Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores

Alec Lewis of The Athletic on Thursday debriefed that the coaching future of Flores has serious implications for Minnesota's defense next year. No-duh, right? Truly, it can't be emphasized enough.

Flores reportedly has head coach interviews with the Jets and Jaguars on Friday and Bears on Saturday.

Lewis wrote the following:

The fact that his unit has been so good over the last two seasons almost breaks the brain – especially when you account for the reality that none of this year's 11 starters were drafted in the last three years. Holdovers from the previous regime (Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum and Joshua Metellus, to name a few) paired with a handful of newcomers (Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, etc.) to produce an aggressive and adaptive unit that, in many ways, carried the Vikings to a 14-3 record.

How well, really, did Flores' defense perform in 2024?

Lewis pointed out it ranked third in DVOA, a metric factoring in strength of schedule. It also was third in EPA (expected points added) per play and fifth in defensive success rate. Oh, and it tied for the NFL lead in takeaways, with 33, and intercepted more passes (24) than anyone else. So, yeah, the unit was great.

Flores' blitz-pervasive scheme and riddling system of disguises, famous for interchanging coverage and pass-rush roles between secondary players and linebackers, are maybe the top draws for teams seeking a new head coach. There's another element, however, that helped his group thrive – Flores' demeanor.

He coached confidently, led trustingly, and encouraged dialogue and tactical feedback from defenders.

All the above, coupled with evident interest from other clubs, and Flores' personally expressed intrigue in becoming a second-time head coach, led Lewis to entertaining a line of questioning that is rational.

Who would the Vikings replace him with? How would the previously acquired defensive players' skills fit into the new coordinator's system? Which staffers might he take with him? And, what would the absence of his temperament do to a team that's already due for what could be a sizable makeover?

Here's the rest of Lewis’ article, which explores a not-so-fun but potentially relevant game of what-ifs.

Ranking Vikings orders of business

Minnesota's special 2024 season came to a head in its final two games.

With certain cogs of the team exposed in losses to the Lions and Rams, it's critical the Vikings find ways to improve. That can be done, primarily, one of two ways – through continuity and upgrading.

Will Ragatz of Minnesota Vikings on SI delved into five key topics that may shape the offseason.

First, he noted the need to extend Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's contract, which expires after 2025.

Ragatz wrote: Yes, he got out-coached in the loss to the Rams. Yes, he's 0-2 in the playoffs, which is currently a stain on his résumé. But he's also 34-17 in the regular season since being hired by Minnesota. Winning two-thirds of your games over a three-year sample is hard to do in the NFL, and it's more impressive when you consider O'Connell did it without the luxury of an established top-tier quarterback.

It's true. O'Connell orchestrated 13 wins in his debut season in 2022 with Kirk Cousins under center. That run, which, like 2024, abruptly ended in the Wild Card Round, accentuated O'Connell's gifts as a play-caller. Fourteen more wins this past season solidified his winner status and generated a ton of positive buzz.

O'Connell's ability to get the best out of the position he once played leads us to Ragatz's second interest.

Minnesota must make a decision at quarterback.

From a roster perspective, this is the second consecutive year where the Vikings biggest decision is at the sport's most important position. They got it right last offseason when they let Cousins walk in free agency and added Darnold and [rookie J.J.] McCarthy. Now they face a similar dilemma. Darnold peaked higher than Cousins in 2024, he's younger, and he isn't injured. And yet, it feels like the Vikings will probably go the same route this time around and let someone else pay big money for a non-elite veteran QB.

The Vikings list of options includes bringing Darnold into the fold for 2025 as a starter or backup. They could very well franchise tag him – although, that is on the more expensive side – or let him leave in free agency. Their decision probably hinges on McCarthy's recovery from a meniscus injury that robbed him of his first professional season. Depending on that, Minnesota could also add a different veteran passer.

Ragatz's list extends to other positions of the roster: 1) Both sides of the trenches – interior pressure was detrimental in Minnesota's final two games and has had some leaks for much longer. The interior of the defensive line has struggled in its own right to rush opposing passers; 2) Reconfiguring the secondary. Urgency here relates to the fact that Minnesota has a plethora of cornerbacks and safeties on soon-to-be-over contracts. Fortunately, there are a couple youngsters at corner – Mekhi Blackmon, who missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL, and UDFA Dwight McGlothern that figure to factor into 2025 plans; 3) Running back – a 30-year-old Aaron Jones, Sr. rushed for a career high and posted over 1,500 scrimmage yards. Ultimately, his age and the depth behind him are valid concerns. There's a deep draft class of RBs.

Ragatz elaborates on those topics here.