Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings
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Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave didn’t go out with a whimper with his pending release.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 1 that the Vikings told Hargrave they plan to release him before March 11, barring a trade before the start of free agency.
Signed to a two-year, $31 million deal less than a year ago, Hargrave did not live up to his Pro Bowl reputation in Minnesota. Coming off his second Pro Bowl mention in 2023 at 30 years old, Hargrave made a splash in the Vikings’ season opener, tallying seven pressures in a win over the Chicago Bears.
But as the season wore on, Hargrave’s role was inconsistent under Flores. He posted 31 total pressures and a 10.5% pressure rate, both his lowest marks since 2018. Hargrave was also held without a single pressure in six games last season.
Hargrave, who turned 33 last month, seems to have hit father time’s inevitable decline; however, there may be more to his lack of production.
On Thursday, March 5, Hargrave reposted a message on X, saying, “If you’re a (defensive line) and wanna get to the QB, Brian Flores’ system is not for you.”
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, it’s a familiar criticism of Flores’ system.
Kevin Seifert
This is not a new critique. In this 2023 story, Harrison Phillips talked about the role of DL in that version of the Flores scheme but essentially said it was hard to argue with the overall results. t.co/fHIpx6jk9t
Former Vikings Captain Harrison Phillips Speaks Out on Lack of Production Under Flores
During Flores’ first year as Vikings defensive coordinator, defensive tackle and team captain Harrison Phillips spoke openly about the defensive interior’s role in creating space for linebackers and edge rushers to generate pressure inside.
“My initial thoughts selfishly were not super high about this,” Phillips told Seifert in 2023. “It was like, ‘Dang, the way it’s being described is you’re an edge setter, you’re a cutback player. It seemed like there was not going to be a lot of production through the system. But then I saw the problems it was giving our offense in [spring and summer practices] … and so I thought we were really on to something, and obviously it’s been kicking (expletive).”
Phillips was traded to the New York Jets last offseason with the arrival of Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, whose fits in Flores’ system are questionable despite their reputation as elite interior pass rushers.
Javon Hargrave, Aaron Jones Expected to Be Released by Vikings
GettyDefensive tackle Javon Hargrave of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are down for a slight teardown to get under the 2026 salary cap before free agency starts on March 11.
Roughly $43 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million cap, the team is poised to fold on several free-agency bets made over the past two offseasons.
Joining Hargrave as a likely Vikings castaway is running back Aaron Jones, who Schefter also reported was told he would be released if they cannot find a trade partner.
Allen is another candidate to be released, especially with the Vikings placing an exclusive rights tender on Jalen Redmond, securing the team’s biggest breakout star of last season for 2026.
Center Ryan Kelly is also a cut candidate after several concussions last season have put his career in question.
The Vikings can also create cap space by extension or restructuring Justin Jefferson, Brian O’Neill and T.J. Hockenson’s deals.