The Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator search is moving quickly, with Ejiro Evero and Brian Flores reportedly emerging as strong candidates to be hired.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in Jan. parting ways with the 66-year-old coach after one season. As Minnesota prepares for a crucial offseason for the club’s long-term future, O’Connell is seeking a new voice to overhaul the defense.

After a relatively strong start defensively to the 2022 season, the Vikings’ defense experienced alarming regression. With the pass-rushing duo of Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith becoming less ineffective as the season went on, opponents attacked Minnesota’s secondary.

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Ejiro Evero out of Broncos contract, is expected to interview with Vikings

Following a 31-24 loss to the New York Giants, which saw Daniel Jones attack Donnatell’s scheme with relative ease, O’Connell moved on from his first defensive coordinator.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores and former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero have emerged as two strong candidates to become the next Vikings defensive coordinator.

Denver first denied Minnesota’s permission to interview Evero, wanting him to first meet with head coach Sean Payton.