It is not award season in the NFL by any stretch of the imagination, but that didn’t stop Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from getting a little love this week, winning the George Halas Award, an achievement that honors overcoming adversity.
The news arrives at a rocky time for Flores, who is deeply embedded in a high-profile lawsuit against the NFL.
George Halas Award Comes to Minnesota
The unforeseen honor is official. ProFootballWriters.org announced Thursday, “Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was selected as the 2026 George Halas Award winner in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). Flores, the 58th Halas Award winner, is the first member of the Vikings franchise to receive the honor from the PFWA.”
“Other 2026 finalists for the Halas Award were Detroit Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.”
Flores doesn’t get a whole lot of love for his accomplishments, so this award is a nice change of pace. History of GHA
The award has been around since 1969 and has an impressive group of winners. These men have taken it home since 2000:
2000 — Bryant Young (49ers) Flores is the first Vikings player or coach to win it.
PFWA added about Flores’s as the choice, “After three seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Flores was fired after the 2021 season. He filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and three teams, alleging racial discrimination. In the midst of the lawsuit, he was hired by Pittsburgh as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022. Flores has spent the last three seasons (2023-25) as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator.”
PFWA President Nicki Jhabvala said about Flores: “Brian Flores took action on his beliefs, at risk to his career. He has thrived as one of the league’s top defensive minds since returning to the NFL as a coordinator while the courts consider his case.”
Why Flores Won The Dolphins unceremoniously fired Flores five years ago, and when he attempted to find a head coaching job in 2021, he was “given the business” via NFL hiring practices. Flores has since sued the NFL, and the litigation is ongoing.
He has applied for head coaching jobs here and there since joining Minnesota as the defensive coordinator in 2023, but it always seems that owners and general managers don’t give him serious consideration. PFWA writers evidently recognize some of the shams that Flores has encountered. The award is evidence.
It’s not popular to sue the NFL, especially when you work for the shield, but Flores is doing it anyway. PWFA admires it.
Status of the Lawsuit
Flores recently won at the U.S. Supreme Court. Reuters noted on May 26th, “The Supreme Court on Tuesday turned away a bid by the NFL to move a Black coach’s racial discrimination claims out of federal court and into arbitration proceedings controlled by the league. The teams involved in the appeal were the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans. Flores, 45, has accused the NFL of systematic discrimination against Black coaches.”
“The lawsuit seeks to force the NFL to make a series of changes, incentivize teams to hire Black coaches and general managers, and require teams to explain hiring and termination decisions in writing. The NFL, which has denied claims of racial discrimination, responded to the lawsuit by arguing it should either be dismissed as lacking legal merit or else sent to arbitration.”
The case has been in no hurry toward resolution, so much so that it feels like Flores will remain the Vikings’ defensive boss indefinitely. NFL teams seem skittish about hiring him as their head coach. Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
A Rare Honor Arrives for Vikings Defensive Boss
2001 — Kerry Collins (Giants)
2002 — Garrison Hearst (49ers)
2003 — Robert Edwards (Dolphins)
2004 — Sam Mills (Panthers)
2005 — Mark Fields (Panthers)
2006 — Tony Dungy (Colts)
2007 — Drew Brees (Saints)
2008 — Kevin Everett (Bills)
2009 — Matt Bryant (Buccaneers)
2010 — Mike Zimmer (Bengals)
2011 — Mike Heimerdinger (Titans)
2012 — Robert Kraft (Patriots)
2013 — Chuck Pagano (Colts)
2014 — O.J. Brigance (Ravens)
2015 — Steve Gleason (Saints)
2016 — Eric Berry (Chiefs)
2017 — David Quessenberry (Texans)
2018 — Marquise Goodwin (49ers)
2019 — Ryan Shazier (Steelers)
2020 — Travis Frederick (Cowboys)
2021 — Alex Smith (Washington Football Team)
2022 — Ron Rivera (Commanders)
2023 — Damar Hamlin (Bills)
2024 — John Metchie III (Texans)
2025 — Joe Burrow (Bengals)
2026 — Brian Flores (Vikings)
