The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, received plenty of criticism at the end of the 2023 season. The defense struggled (23rd) and only showed slight improvement from the year before (27th). He, however, restored his reputation in 2024 with a Super Bowl-caliber unit that ranked third in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
However, repeating the feat this upcoming season will be tough for the Vikings after losing an important part of the secondary, Camryn Bynum, in free agency. Fortunately for Flores, he can snag one back from free agency and continue to dominate the NFC North offenses.
Vikings Predicted To Replace Camryn Bynum With Two-time Pro Bowler
Flores is entering his third season as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. They’ve had health problems over the last couple of years, but they re-signed Byron Murphy in the secondary and added Jonathan Greenard as a linebacker to give them a couple of impact players. However, for this defense to get into the top 5 again, they’ll have to be opportunistic and sign the best available free agent safety in Justin Simmons.
Minnesota hasn’t signed or drafted any replacement for Bynum. Special-teams ace Theo Jackson is listed as No. 3 on the depth chart, meaning Flores will either have to make personnel alterations to his defensive scheme, or the Vikings would need to sign Simmons.
After a highly productive eight years with the Denver Broncos, Simmons found himself in a warmer climate in 2024. He started 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, managing two interceptions and maintaining his record of multiple picks in every season he’s played.
Justin Simmons in 2024:
28 Targets (lowest)
16 Receptions (lowest)
210 Yards Allowed (lowest)
3 TDs Allowed; 2 INTs
86.9 Passer Rating Allowed (2nd on team)
57% Catch Rate (led team
-1.5 Coverage EPA (led team)
25% Ball Hawk Rate (led team)
sneakily had a good season pic.twitter.com/gye434wnlh
— avyen (@avy3n) February 25, 2025
He’s also just two seasons removed from making three consecutive Pro Bowls, and Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano believes he is a perfect fit with the Vikings.
“The Vikings could use another safety with Camryn Bynum now with the Indianapolis Colts and Harrison Smith possibly needing to play less in his 14th season,” he wrote. “It wasn’t that long ago that Simmons made three consecutive Pro Bowls for the Denver Broncos from 2021 to ’23. Simmons, 31, who had a quality lone season with the Atlanta Falcons, can help form a productive safety rotation in Minnesota with Smith, Theo Jackson, and Josh Metellus. Solid coverage is a need in Brian Flores’s aggressive defensive scheme.”
Simmons is tied with Stephon Gilmore (32) for the fourth-most career interceptions among active NFL players. Like Simmons, Gilmore, and Tashaun Gipson (third with 33) are currently free agents. Smith, who’s spent his entire career with the Vikings, is first with 37, and as Manzano noted, he would be a perfect fit in rotation with Simmons.
The 31-year-old has started at least 15 games in six of the last seven seasons and proved to be as dependable as ever for the Falcons last season. The two-time Pro Bowler would provide immense playmaking ability to the Vikings and continue Flores’ system of using three safeties.